The University of Skövde has appointed Deborah Lupton, Professor at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, its first Honorary Doctorate in the field of Health in the Digital Society. The new Honorary Doctor is promoted during the University's Academic Celebration on March 10.
This year's Honorary Doctor at the University of Skövde is Deborah Lupton, Professor at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. She is the first Honorary Doctorate that the University appoints in the field of Health in the digital society.
“It is an amazing feeling to be so honored, particularly as I already have strong connections to and collaborations with colleagues in Sweden and the other Nordic countries. I have always felt very welcome and appreciated in these countries, with lots to talk about in terms of shared interests. This Honorary Doctorate means that I will always have a special relationship with the University of Skövde,” says Deborah Lupton.
Deborah Lupton has a background in sociology, as well as media and cultural studies. In her research, she combines qualitative and innovative social research methods with sociocultural theory. Her research focuses on the use of new digital media in medicine and public health. She studies how those media are the focus of increasing interest in society, how they can have unexpected effects for patients and healthcare professionals, and how they can influence how society works with digital technologies in public health and healthcare.
She currently works at the Center for Social Research in Health and at the Social Policy Research Centre. She is also the People Co-Leader at the Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society.
Great source of inspiration
Deborah Lupton is also the author or co-author of 20 books, including Digital Health – Critical and Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives. This book has made an important contribution to the University's work with the research environment Digital HEAlth Research (DHEAR).
The nomination states that Deborah Lupton's work in digital health has been a source of inspiration for the School of Health Sciences at the University of Skövde. Her focus on interdisciplinary perspectives has been important for the development of the field of Digital Health at the University. Among other things, her work has inspired parts of the content of the one-year Master's Programme "Public Health Science: Digital Health and Communication".
“It is wonderful to see the development of the new programme in digital health research at the University of Skövde and to be made aware that my research has contributed to this exciting initiative, says Professor Lupton.
Her work and thoughts have also contributed to the University's research in the field.
“Professor Lupton's work has been important for the University's development. During the autumn, the University received degree-awarding powers on a doctorate level in the field of Health in the Digital Society, which is the University's second degree-awarding powers on a doctorate level. Researchers like Professor Lupton are a great source of inspiration for this broad field and its applications,” says Alexandra Krettek, Professor of Public Health Sciences and Dean at the University of Skövde.
Deborah Lupton will be promoted to an Honorary Doctorate during the University's Academic Celebration on March 10. She will visit Sweden and the University of Skövde in the beginning of 2024.
