Our honorary doctors
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Science and Technology at Luleå University of Technology appoint honorary doctors every year. It is a dignity that the faculties bestow upon individuals whom they wish to particularly honor and connect with the research community.
According to tradition, it is usually individuals who have not chosen the academic path but have otherwise contributed to research and earned the dignity associated with a doctoral title. This is part of the university's commitment to openness and connections beyond the traditional research community. An academician who has significantly contributed to research or education within the faculty can also be appointed as an honorary doctor.
Luleå University of Technology has been appointing honorary doctors since 1981. The honorary doctors are conferred during the Academic Ceremony held in November each year.
2024
Luleå University of Technology has appointed four honorary doctors for 2024: Karin Bodin, CEO of Polarbrödsgruppen, author Elin Anna Labba, Executive and Artistic Director at Konserthuset Stefan Forsberg and author Lars Gyllenhaal. They are conferred 9 November 2024.
2023
Staffan Göthe, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
Staffan is a playwright and director, and also an actor. Göthe is considered one of Sweden's foremost and most performed playwrights. Many of his plays have been performed at Norrbottensteatern, among which "En uppstoppad hund", directed by Staffan Göthe himself, is probably the most famous. Göthe
always returns to Norrbotten in his works – the suite comprising the works "Temperence", "La strada del amore", "En uppstoppad hund", "Den perfekta kyssen" and "Ett lysande elände", tells about the Cervieng family who lives in a village near the Bothnian Bay.
In times of great insecurity and quick technological and societal changes, the role that the fine arts play in societal development becomes more central, and dramatic art is an important expression to better understand the age we live in. Through his significant commitment as an actor, playwright and director, Staffan Göthe has contributed to the progress of the dramatic art in Sweden and in Norrbotten.
Peter Englund, Honorary Doctor of Technology
Peter Englund is a historian, author and a member of the Swedish Academy, of which he has been the permanent secretary. His CV contains a wide range of activities, missions and awards exceeding what is normal for an historian. Englund's research contributions comprise an extensive production of popular historical literature that combines historical-scientific stringency and an absorbing narrative in an unparalleled way.
Peter Englund was born in Boden and has received many awards throughout his career, for example the August Prize. Based on a broad international historical-scientific perspective, his achievements and ability to contribute new knowledge and understanding of the course of events and process of change is of profound importance in our time. This is especially so when considering the driving forces behind the rise of large-scale military conflicts, and the consequences of war and technology of war for people and communities.
Alice Kempe, Honorary Doctor of Technology
Alice Kempe is a forester with long experience of research funding and
industrial organisations. Kempe has shown great commitment and is of great importance for the university's utilization and collaboration with the surrounding society and industry, not least in the field of wood technology.
Alice Kempe is Chair of the Kempestiftelserna, which for a long time have provided significant support for research infrastructures, research initiatives and projects as well as prizes and scholarships to young and promising researchers. The Kempestiftelserna has had a decisive impact on the strategic research programme CT WOOD at Wood Science and Engineering Division at Luleå University of Technology in Skellefteå. The purpose of the programme is to continue to build on world leading research within X-ray computed tomography and thus to create opportunities for cutting edge research supporting the digitalization of the wood industry.
Jan Moström, Honorary Doctor of Technology
Jan Moström has, through roles as mining manager and business area manager at Boliden and CEO of LKAB, set visionary and important goals for the green transition. He has also highlighted the world’s future needs of minerals and metals, where Sweden with its geology plays an important role in achieving the UN climate goals. Through these initiatives, he has put northern Sweden on the map, and all eyes are now on the technological development taking place here.
Jan Moström deservedly leads our largest mining company in a forward-looking and successful way. He has initiated carbon-free production of iron and is working to reuse previously rejected residual products to extract rare earth metals. Moström has also initiated a long-term collaboration with Luleå University of Technology.
Jan Moström meritoriously heads our largest mining company in a pro-active and successful manner. He has introduced carbon-free iron ore production, and aims at re-using previously rejected residues to extract rare earth metals. Moström has also initiated a long-term partnership with Luleå University of Technology.
2022
- Peter Carlsson, CEO and co-founder of Northvolt, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy and Technology
- Lisbeth Löpare-Johansson, Coordinator at the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKR), Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Christopher Weible, Professor at University of Colorado Denver, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
2021
- Sara Arnia, Actor, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Sofia Jannok, Artist, singer and songwriter, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Anders Sundström, Business leader, former politician and minister, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy and Technology
2020
- Charlotte Kalla, Cross-country skier and Olympian, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Jessica Meir, Astronaut at NASA, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Dean A Shepherd, Professor at Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
2019
- Pär Lärkeryd, President and CEO of Norra Skogsägarna, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Thomas Öström, CEO Climeon, Honorary Doctor of Technology
2018
- Lilian Ryd, Author and cultural historian, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Gertrud Åström, Business and organisational leader and expert on gender equality issues, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy and Technology
- Lars Martinson, Group CEO at Martinsons, Honorary Doctor of Technology
2017
- Jan Lexell, Professor at Lund University, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Jenny B Osuldsen, Architect, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Geoffrey Vining, Professor at Virginia Tech, Honorary Doctor of Technology
2016
- Gerda Helena Lindskog, Author, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Svante Lindqvist, Musician, playwright and author, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Elisabeth Nilsson, County Governor, Honorary Doctor of Technology
2015
- Katarina Kieri, Author, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Sara Mazur, Head of Research, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Hans Hansson, CEO, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Birgitta Olofsson, CEO, Honorary Doctor of Technology
2014
- Alan Begg, Director of Research and Development, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Russell Lansbury, Professor Emeritus, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Per-Erik Lindvall, Director, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy and Technology
- Peter Mattei, Opera Singer, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
2013
- Stina Honkamaa, CEO, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Ulf Marklund, Head of Strategy and Business Development, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Karl Petersen, Local Councillor, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy and Technology
2012
- Benny Andersson, Musician and composer, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Eva Karlsson, CEO, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Margareta Kempe, Author, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Tore Lundmark, Chief Engineer, Honorary Doctor of Technology
2011
- Per-Ola Eriksson, County Governor, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Malin Frenning, Business Area Manager, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Martin Jonsson, Head of Development and Research, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Elisabeth Holmgren, Director of the County Council, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
2010
- Karin Mamma Andersson, Artist, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Björn Paulsson, Senior Adviser, Honorary Doctor of Technology
2009
- Ross Large, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Erik Lindbäck, CEO, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Bengt Liljedahl, Head of Development, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Leyland Pitt, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
2008
- Lorentz Andersson, Former County Governor, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Harald Vogel, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Margareta Jonsson, CEO, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy and Technology
2007
- Börje Justrell, Archivist, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Lars-Eric Aaro, Technical Director, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Albert Ruehli, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Erling Johansson, Artist, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy and Technology
2006
- Jiri Marsalek, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Panos Plegas, Senior Vice President, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Kjell Sundvall, Film Director, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
2005
- Elinor Ostrom, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Anna Sierpinska, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Technology
2004
- Kari Marklund, Former County Governor, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Birgitta Svendén, Opera singer, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Joseph Juran, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Carl-Henric Svanberg, CEO, Honorary Doctor of Technology
2003
- Hans Leygraf, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Leif Östling, CEO, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Gunnar Liljedahl, Director, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy and Technology
2002
- Staffan Westerberg, Acting Director, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Carl Bennet, Director, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Sam Nilsson, Director, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy and Technology
2001
- Bruce Swedien, Music Producer, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Douglas W Fuerstenau, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Yngve Bergqvist, CEO, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy and Technology
2000
- Bo Nilsson, Composer, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Thomas Nilsson, CEO, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Jan Martinsson, Director, Honorary Doctor of Technology
1998
- Folke Isaksson, Author, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- John E Tilton, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Philosophy
- Vinton G Cerf, Senior Vice President, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Christer Löfgren, Director, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Ivar Sundström, CEO, Honorary Doctor of Technology
1996
- Ingvar Carlsson, Former Prime Minister, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Evelyn Fox Keller, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Sture Johansson, CEO, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Carl Kempe, Director, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Samme Lindmark, CEO, Honorary Doctor of Technology
1994
- Birgit Erngren, Director General, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Michel Lucius, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Arne Wittlöf, Director, Honorary Doctor of Technology
1993
- Per-Olof Eriksson, Director, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Anders Grönlund, Organ Builder, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Bengt Hultqvist, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Technology
1991
- Bengt Andersson, Education Consultant, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Ann-Marie Israelsson, Head of Teknikens Hus, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Martin Lundberg, Director, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Markku Mannerkoski, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Björn Wahlström, Director, Honorary Doctor of Technology
1989
- Rune Andersson, CEO, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- John E Field, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Lennart Lubeck, Professor, Honorary Doctor of Technology
1986
- Ulf Langefors, CEO, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Einar Lundström, Director, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Sverker Sjöström, Director, Honorary Doctor of Technology
1984
- Sten G A Bergman, Doctor of Technology, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Arne S Lundberg, Envoy, Honorary Doctor of Technology
1981
- Lars Granar, Division Director, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Gösta Hägglund, Director, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Ragnar Lassinantti, County Governor, Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Lars Nordström, Director General, Honorary Doctor of Technology
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