NEWS Heila Lotz-Sisitka has been appointed Honorary Doctor at Umeå University for 2026. Her research explores how education can respond to global challenges and support the transition to a sustainable society. Her collaboration with the Department of Applied Educational Science dates back to 2009.
Heila Lotz-Sisitka, Honorary Doctor by the Faculty of Social Sciences, 2026.
Image Jackie Grove- It is a great pleasure for us that the contributions by Heila Lotz-Sisitka towards our department and other educational environments at Umeå University are recognized in this way, says Anna Lindqvist, Head of the Department of Applied Educational Science.
The work by Heila Lotz-Sisitka in researching the crucial issues of how educational systems can be transformed in response to contemporary global challenges towards more sustainable societies, has been and is a tremendous source of inspiration – for both younger and more senior researchers.
The cooperation between Professor Lotz-Sisitka and researchers at the Department of Applied Educational Science started in 2009 and has since continued in various forms. An important part has been the exchanges between PhD students through the joint course weeks organized by Umeå School of Education and Rhodes University. Digital seminars, guest lectures, workshops and joint publications are other outcomes from the cooperation.
Karin Sporre has been appointed host as Heila Lotz-Sisitka receives an honorary doctorate at Umeå University on 17 October. A central idea in Heila Lotz-Sisitka’s work and research on education is that it should serve the common good, both locally and globally, Sporre explains.
- Heila has a unique capacity to inspire, share her wisdom and knowledge, and assuming responsibility while environments around her grow and develop, continues Karin Sporre.
Thus, this internationally and nationally renowned researcher has been appointed Honorary Doctor by the Faculty of Social Sciences 2026.