A special ceremony for the presentation of the diploma of the degree of Doctor of Social Science, honoris causa, to Professor Helga Nowotny (top left) by CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Rocky S. Tuan (top right) was held on 18 January. Professor Nowotny was not able to attend in person the University’s 92nd Congregation for Conferment of Degrees earlier in November 2023.

Professor Nowotny has had a brilliant career traversing law, sociology and, most significantly, science and technology studies, in which she is a pioneer. She has been deeply engaged in science and innovation policy, culminating in her role as president of the European Research Council from 2010 to 2013. As founder and leader, she helped shape the Council as a funding agency run by scientists for scientists and embracing the social sciences and humanities. Since 2007, the year it was founded, when she started serving as its vice-president, the Council has funded more than 12,000 projects and over 10,000 researchers, including 12 Nobel Prize winners.