{"id":146356,"date":"2022-11-09T14:22:28","date_gmt":"2022-11-09T13:22:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=146356"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:26:30","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:26:30","slug":"honorary-doctorates-for-approachable-role-models-in-science","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2022\/11\/09\/honorary-doctorates-for-approachable-role-models-in-science\/","title":{"rendered":"Honorary doctorates for approachable role models in science"},"content":{"rendered":"

Erasmus University awarded two honorary doctorates on Tuesday 8 November, to Ien Ang and Ann Masten. Honorary doctorates for renowned researchers are a regular tradition on the university\u2019s anniversary, the 109th of which was celebrated on Tuesday. The theme of the anniversary is Resilient cities and societies for future generations.<\/p>\n

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Ien Ang speaks at the 109th Dies Natalis.<\/span><\/p>

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The honorary supervisors who presented them wrote that, even though Ien Ang and Ann Masten come from very different fields, the two academics are being honoured for the same reason: they are role models who put research at the service of society.<\/p>\n

Inspiration<\/h2>
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Honorary doctor Ien Ang is addressed by Susanne Janssen. <\/span><\/p>

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Professor Ien Ang of the University of Western Sydney is one of the most prominent cultural scientists. Ang, who grew up in the Netherlands and earned her doctorate from the University of Amsterdam, is a pioneer in various fields such as reception studies, in which she asked the media audience directly for their opinion. <\/p>\n

Honorary supervisor Susanne Janssen, professor of Sociology of Media and Culture, describes how groundbreaking that was. \u201cAng did not judge viewers but wanted to speak to fans herself so she could understand them better. At the time, media research often still consisted of interpretative text research in which academics decided from their desk what the viewer sees or should see. Ang realised that you should mainly listen to the audience and also inspired many other researchers to work in this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to this pioneering work, Ang is also regarded as an example because of her interdisciplinary approach. Janssen: \u201cShe has not ended up stuck in a single field or type of research. This makes her work very strong. For example, her book On not speaking Chinese is about identity in times of globalisation and diaspora.\u201d Ang is currently working with a large museum in Sydney to actively involve residents in the development of the new Powerhouse museum, in which Janssen recognises the EUR philosophy: making an impact through collaboration with social partners. <\/p>\n

Resilience<\/h2>
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Ann Masten.<\/span><\/p>

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The second recipient of an honorary doctorate is Ann Masten from the University of Minnesota. According to honorary supervisor Loes Keijsers, as a professor at the Institute of Child Development, she makes an \u2018extraordinary contribution\u2019 to research into the development of resilience in children and families facing adversity. Loes Keijsers is professor of Clinical Child and Family Studies at the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Studies (ESSB).<\/p>\n

Keijsers can mainly see optimism in Masten\u2019s work: all children have resilience, and they need encouragement and opportunities to succeed during their development. \u201cA child who experiences something traumatic at home, for example, is not immediately ruined for life but can bounce back stronger.\u201d But Keijsers can also identify a mission: by Masten\u2019s statement that it is immoral not to invest in the next generation, \u2018she means that, as the adults of today, we are responsible for providing young people with an environment in which they can grow up well\u2019. Keijsers: \u201cShe views the world from the needs of a child. I am very inspired by this in my work, and many others feel the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

What the honorary supervisor appreciates most in Masten is how she views her role as serving the world. \u201cAlthough she is one of the biggest names in our field, she is always approachable. When I told her about her honorary doctorate, she immediately said: \u2018That\u2019s great. When I come to Rotterdam, I\u2019d really like to talk to young researchers\u2019. It\u2019s truly rare to find someone who is on a pedestal and yet remains so approachable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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