Haavisto, Robinson to get honorary doctorates from Helsinki University

Veteran politician of Vihreä liitto (Finnish Green League) Pekka Haavisto and Nobel laureate in Economic Sciences James Robinson will receive honorary doctorates from the University of Helsinki, said the university in a press release on Monday.

The Faculty of Social Sciences will confer four honorary doctorates in its May 2026 conferment ceremony.

Haavisto, a Finnish politician and influential figure in international diplomacy with a key role in peace mediation, environmental policy and global cooperation

James Robinson, a Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences laureate and a scholar of political economy, noted for his internationally influential work on institutions, inequality and societal development

Bridget Anderson, an internationally renowned scholar of migration and citizenship who has long collaborated with the University of Helsinki in teaching and research and Walden Bello, a specialist in global justice, democracy and political economy whose academic and societal advocacy is widely known will also receive the doctorates.

With the title of doctor honoris causa, the Faculty acknowledges individuals for their significant efforts towards scholarship, society and international cooperation as well as for their long-running collaboration with the University of Helsinki.

An honorary doctorate is the highest recognition the University of Helsinki can award. The titles will be presented in the conferment festivities from 21 to 23 May 2026.