At the University of Liège, the opening of each academic year is accompanied by a carefully chosen theme, in line with current international events.
To mark the occasion, three personalities from a variety of backgrounds are chosen to receive the insignia of honorary doctor of ULiège.
Their arrival is associated with a major event in the form of the “Grandes conférences universitaires de l'ULiège”.
These lectures, held at different times of the year, are open to all, and available for replay.
Kornelia Polyak, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a researcher at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, is one of the leading international figures in contemporary breast cancer research.
📅 Lecture scheduled for November 25, 2026
Pierre Haski is one of the leading French voices in contemporary international journalism. A reporter, correspondent, columnist, essayist, documentary filmmaker, and president of Reporters Without Borders, he has devoted more than half a century to shedding light on the political, geopolitical, and democratic divisions of the contemporary world.
📅 Lecture scheduled for March 22, 2027
Jane C. Ginsburg is one of the world’s leading experts in intellectual property law, particularly copyright law, international copyright law, trademark law, and private international law as it applies to works.
📅 Lecture scheduled for May 11, 2027
PhD, internationally renowned immunologist and Director General of the Pasteur Institute. She combines academic and scientific excellence with courage, openness and commitment to the common good.
Conference "Contrôle de la physiologie de l'hôte par le microbiote" (FR)
A leading figure in contemporary performing arts and theatre, renowned for his bold and innovative approach to directing and his ability to revisit great classical texts in the light of current socio-political issues.
🎥 Conference "Une perspective sociologique sur le théâtre" (FR)
PhD, co-winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics for his fundamental contributions to quantum theory and quantum entanglement. Deeply committed to the dissemination of knowledge, he emphasises the fundamental importance of education in social emancipation.
🎥 Conference: "From Concepts to Applications: The Two Quantum Revolutions"
Professor at Harvard University, world-renowned geochemist, a researcher connected to environmental issues.
American-Afghan activist, known for her work on behalf of women's and children's rights in Afghanistan.
🎥 Conference "Comment la voix confisquée des femmes afghanes peut-elle être entendue en Occident ?"
Emeritus Director of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, pioneer of paleogenetics, winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine “for his discoveries concerning the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution.”
Astrophysicist and philosopher, poet, conscience-raiser for the preservation of our planet.
Economist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, his work focuses on development economics, health, education, access to credit, and poverty reduction.
South African photographer and activist, LGBTQIA+ rights advocate.
