Honorary doctorates for three people who make a difference

Three honorary doctorates will be awarded during Utrecht University's 390th Dies Natalis. On 26 March, Linda Theron, Eranda Jayawickreme and Linda Nooitmeer will receive an honorary doctorate from Rector Magnificus Wilco Hazeleger for their exceptional contribution to science and society. In this 78th anniversary year – which focuses on cooperation in city and region – a societal honorary doctorate will be awarded, in addition to two scientific ones.

For me, it is recognition that the university has the courage to look in the mirror.

Linda Nooitmeer

Linda Nooitmeer, Department Manager of Social Basis, Municipality of Utrecht and former chair of the National Institute for Dutch Slavery History and Heritage (Ninsee), for which work are you receiving the honorary doctorate? 
‘My work focuses on the process of “accountability” and the transformation of the academic attitude towards the history of slavery. My advice to the Faculty of Law, Economics, Governance and Organization on openly and critically addressing its own institutional ties to slavery led to research that demonstrates how legal science and legal structures did not serve as instruments of justice, but were instead used to legitimize an inhumane system and delay its abolition. My contribution: critically questioning the historical and contemporary role and encouraging the university to use the insights gained to allow the law to once again function as a shield for the oppressed and as a driver for social change.’

What do you see as the greatest (societal) importance of the collaboration between you and Utrecht University?
‘By focusing on facts and dialogue, we transcend the “fear of polarization”. Through our collaboration, the university, especially in education, can play a pioneering role in the theme of restoration and reparatory justice, an all-encompassing framework for me. Restoring balance through using scientific power and resources to combat the systemic inequalities created by slavery. I want to help the university make the transition from an “academic stronghold” to an active partner that works on an equal footing with affected communities in both the Netherlands and the former colonies.’

What does the award of this honorary doctorate mean to you?
‘For me, it is recognition that the university has the courage to look in the mirror and acknowledge that academic reflection alone is no longer enough. I am deeply moved that together we dare to fill in the “open pages” of our shared history. In line with the university's motto, Sol Iustitiae Illustra Nos, it is my hope that through this collaboration we will truly let the “sun of justice” shine for everyone — not in ten years' time, but now. Together.’

I experience it as recognition not only for my team’s work, but of an approach to scholarship.

Eranda Jayawickreme

Eranda Jayawickreme, Professor of Psychology at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, USA, for what work are you receiving this honorary doctorate? 
‘An important question in my research is whether and how people change after adversity, with a particular focus on post-traumatic growth (PTG): the popular idea that trauma often leads to widespread positive psychological transformation. Across many studies, I have argued that we need to be much more careful about what we mean by “growth,” how we measure it, and what we can legitimately conclude from the evidence.

It is important to distinguish between perceived growth (what people say has changed) and demonstrable growth (measurable changes in well-being, relationships, values or personality characteristics). My goal is not to dismiss people's accounts of positive change out of hand, but to build a more accurate science of positive adaptation that supports survivors in their recovery without romanticizing trauma.’

What do you see as the greatest (societal) importance of the collaboration between you and Utrecht University? 
‘I have already collaborated with colleagues from the psychology department and benefited from Utrecht’s intellectual culture, which values methodological rigor and careful conceptual work – precisely what is needed in this area.

I see the opportunity to combine complementary strengths to improve both the science and the public story around trauma and positive change as the biggest added value of the collaboration. It can also translate into clearer guidance for practitioners, educators and the public: how to support meaning-making and hope without turning growth into an expectation or moral obligation.’

What does this honorary doctorate mean to you?
‘It is deeply meaningful to me. I experience it as recognition not only for my team’s work, but of an approach to scholarship: taking widely accepted ideas seriously enough to test them carefully, refine them and (when necessary) challenge them in the service of better science and better care for the community.’

This honorary doctorate emphasizes the importance of partnerships based on scientific accuracy, social relevance and co-creation.

Linda Theron

Linda Theron, Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, for what work are you receiving this honorary doctorate? 
‘My research focuses on the resilience of young people. What enables young people living under conditions of adversity to experience better-than-expected outcomes, for example in terms of civic engagement, educational progress or mental health? My research is distinguished by its attention to the influence of context, culture and ‘multi-system diversity’ in the mechanisms that support young people to respond adaptively to significant stress.

In particular, my ongoing qualitative (mostly arts-based) and mixed methods studies with African young people living in structurally violent communities in South Africa, have advanced the science of resilience. Among other things, the research shows that resilience does not only stem from individual characteristics, but also depends heavily on the connection between young people and their social, cultural and physical ecologies.’

What do you see as the greatest (societal) importance of the collaboration between you and Utrecht University? 
‘We are facing ongoing economic, geopolitical and climate shocks, that demand resilience from most of the world’s young people. Collaboration on reconceptualizing youth resilience – as a contextually responsive, whole-of-society responsibility – is therefore very urgent. It highlights that collaborative work grounded in scientific rigor, community relevance and co-creation matters.’

What does this honorary doctorate mean to you?
‘The most important thing is that it validates research that challenges mono-systemic, Western-centric understandings of youth resilience. Research that honors the realities and voice of African young people and the social, structural and physical ecologies that they are connected to. This validation coming from a world-leading academic institution like Utrecht University, can only expand my commitment to using research insights to fast-track youth resilience in an increasingly challenged world.’

Dies Natalis: Caring & Connecting

The honorary doctorates will be awarded on 26 March in the Dom Church, during the celebration of our 390th Dies Natalis. This year's theme stems from the Strategic Theme Dynamics of Youth and is: Caring & Connecting, with the overarching anniversary theme “Connect, Create Change.”. Connection with the city and region is central to this 78th anniversary.

View the full programme for the Dies Natalis.