Karlstad University has appointed three new honorary doctors. They work within sports science, educational science, and health science. All three will receive their awards on October 17th when the university celebrates its Academic Ceremony.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Professor Alan L. Smith, an internationally recognized researcher in sports science, has led research programs at several prominent American universities. He was the chair of the Department of Kinesiology at Michigan State University from 2012 to 2021 and has been the dean of the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services at Utah State University since 2021. He has also served as president of the American Kinesiology Association and the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, where he strengthened academic networks and improved education and research. His experience in academic leadership has led to his current role as interim president of Utah State University. At Karlstad University, he has been an important international partner through research collaborations and his commitment to strengthening the university's connection to the community. He has also played a central role in planning a national research center for children's and youth sports at Karlstad University.
Faculty of Health, Science, and Technology
Catriona Kennedy, professor of nursing at Robert Gordon University, Scotland, is a district nurse and researcher in community health care, chronic health conditions, palliative care, end-of-life care, and oncological nursing. She is an inspiration to students and researchers with her commitment to strategic development. Since 2008, she has regularly visited Karlstad University, sharing her experiences in research programs and network building. She has given lectures on the healthcare system in the UK and end-of-life research and contributed to the research program Quality Care Near the End of Life, a collaboration between Sweden, Norway, and Scotland.
Teacher Education
Brian Hudson, Emeritus Professor of Education and former head of The School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sussex, has worked closely with teacher education-related research at Karlstad University since 2015, particularly with the strong research group ROSE, a multidisciplinary research environment with a special interest in subject didactics – learning and teaching in subjects. Brian Hudson's broad scientific subject didactic competence and long experience in leading research groups focused on teacher education have been crucial in the development of ROSE.
Read more about the Academic Ceremony
