Due to the ongoing pandemic, the spring 2021 Conferment Ceremony was broadcast live without the physical attendance of those involved. Although the ceremony itself was conducted remotely, the traditional cannon salute was still fired in central Uppsala, leaving the distinctive smell of gunpowder hanging over the University Main Building long after the ceremony concluded. As is customary, the three-cannon salute was fired by members of military cultural history association the Jämtland Field Artillery, clad in uniforms dating from 1873.
“Most of my fellow doctoral graduates chose to postpone their conferment,” says Mickelsson, “but I will soon be leaving for Zimbabwe to conduct a postdoctoral project and will be abroad until 2024, so I would otherwise miss the window for conferment.”
Alone in the apartment but many visits
The Doctoral Conferment Ceremony is a symbolic transition, usually held in the Grand Auditorium. On this occasion, however, conferees and guests followed the ceremony online from home or elsewhere. Only the Vice-Chancellor, degree conferrers, ceremonial staff and the field artillery observer were present in the auditorium.
Martin Mickelsson was alone in his apartment during the ceremony; however, he succeeded in creating a social experience by inviting friends, family and colleagues to join him in a Zoom virtual meeting room, where he also streamed the live broadcast.
“This way, more people could participate, making it more accessible. Perhaps fifteen or twenty people popped in during the hours that the ceremony lasted and we were able to speak to one another, raise a glass and reflect on the ceremony, instead of getting stiff sitting in the auditorium,” Mickelsson says with a smile.
Martin’s visitors in the Zoom room included colleagues from Latvia, as well as several from Campus Gotland who had never had the opportunity to attend a conferment ceremony in the University Main Building.
“Several people have been in touch since to say how much they enjoyed participating via my Zoom room. Many of them were pleasantly surprised by how good the results were,” says Mickelsson with a chuckle.
Different at a distance
Laurel wreaths are usually bound for new doctors in the ‘philosophical’ faculties, but not this year. This left Martin Mickelsson with no laurel wreath to put on during the ceremony.
“I did miss out on that, unfortunately. My mother also has a doctorate from a philosophical faculty and she still has her laurel wreath. Still, I can understand that the logistics were insurmountable.”
Grand experience with large screen
Having received their badges of honour, the new doctors are usually guided by the degree conferrer across Parnassus, the podium used in the conferment ceremony.
“Although it was different this year, the ceremony was held with due solemnity. My mother, who has personally been through the ceremony, noted that I had the entire speech and music to myself, as I was the only new doctor from my faculty. I was not one among many. I also arranged to show the live broadcast on the big screen here at home, so it was rather grand from my perspective,” chortles Martin Mickelsson.
Footnote: At the time of publication, the laurel wreath issue has been successfully resolved. After fact-checking the article, ceremony staff arranged for Martin Mickelsson to receive a laurel wreath.