The 14 honorary doctors, who were invited by the University jointly, are in alphabetical order :
Ana Claudia Arias, Professor of Electrical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, United States
In recognition of contributions to research and innovation in the field of printed, thin-film and wearable electronics
Ban Ki-moon, Chairman of Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future, Secretary-General of the United Nations 2007–2016
In recognition of work in pursuing peace, promoting human rights, and advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals
Chun Wei Choo, Professor at the Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, Canada
In recognition of the study of the relationship between information system science and knowledge management
Bernard Cova, Senior Professor of Marketing, Kedge Business School, France
In recognition of the study of consumer communities and interaction between businesses, and of combining academic research with strong stakeholder interaction
Klaske Havik, Professor at the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands
In recognition of the study of architectural writing and of texts on architecture and urban planning
Rauno Ihalainen, Hospital Counsellor, Director of Pirkanmaa Hospital District 1995–2019
In recognition of promoting scientific research and education and developing cooperation between the Pirkanmaa Hospital District and Tampere University
Timothy Ingold, Professor Emeritus of Social Anthropology, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
In recognition of work on circumpolar regions and scholarship on exploring the relations between human beings, their skilled practices, and the environments they inhabit
Jarmo Kekäläinen, General Manager, Columbus Blue Jackets, United States
In recognition of merits in international sports management
Elina Knihtilä, actor, Professor of Acting, Theatre Academy, Uniarts Helsinki
In recognition of merits in the development of Finnish actor’s art and feminist artist pedagogy
Risto Käkelä, teollisuusneuvos, founder of Avant Tecno Oy
In recognition of achievements in developing a family-owned mechanical engineering company into a world leader in its field and for contributions to research and product development
Mari Pantsar, Director, Sustainability Solutions, Sitra
In recognition of achievements as a national and international promoter and debater of the circular economy and environmental sustainability
Ann Phoenix, Professor of Psychosocial Studies, Institute of Education at University College London, United Kingdom
In recognition of contributions to the research fields of family relations, youth and gender research, transnationality, migration and racialisation as well as theoretical and methodological innovations in these and other fields
Kimmo Pietiläinen, non-fiction writer, translator and publisher, founder of Terra Cognita Oy
In recognition of work in non-fiction translation and publishing in the fields of science, technology, mathematics, and philosophy
E.M.J. (Sabeth) Verpoorte, Professor at Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
In recognition of work on lab-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip research as well as of long-standing interdisciplinary collaboration