For a year now, Kristina Ranki has been planning, preparing and coordinating the work associated with the University of Helsinki’s 2023 Conferment Jubilee. How would she describe her work in brief?
“It’s incredibly multifaceted and involves numerous components, all of which highlight the conferment tradition. The phenomenon has so many elements, and it’s this very diversity that has brought me joy and fuelled the generous number of productions. The project consists of multiple events, which must of course be marketed as well.”
A historian by training, Ranki completed her doctoral degree at the University of Helsinki in 2007.
When did you become acquainted with conferment ceremonies?
“I should start by saying I studied under Professor Matti Klinge, so I’ve been immersed in the tradition from day one. Those of us who began to study history in 1991 learned we had just missed the University’s 350th anniversary and the 1990 conferment ceremony. It was a bit disappointing, as we were told how significant it had all been. Perhaps it made us all the more eager for the next ceremony.”
What have you enjoyed or found challenging?
“I’ve enjoyed seeking collaboration partners from outside the University; the Academic Bookstore, for one, has been an enthusiastic partner. The ideas you start with may look very different by the time the process is complete. I believe the final result is fantastic, and the event will resonate with many. For instance, we’ve interviewed numerous individuals, many of whom have a wealth of knowledge.”
Kristina herself has a strong connection to the conferment tradition, having attended the Faculty of Philosophy’s conferment ceremonies as a master’s graduand in 1997 and a doctoral graduand in 2007.
What’s your own relationship with the conferment tradition?
“The day I was conferred my master’s degree was the day my baby turned five weeks old. I didn’t want to choose between the two occasions. It was quite a major event and a positive experience. At the time, I wasn’t part of the graduation committee, as I wasn’t one of the most enthusiastic participants – after all, I’d just had a baby. But the ceremony was of course a wonderful new experience.”
When did you become more involved in the organisational aspects?
“I served on the conferment committee when I was a doctoral graduand in 2007. Although I wasn’t especially active, I played a bigger role at the final stage when speeches required translation. I also had the chance to give a speech to the conferment officials. As my husband too was a doctoral graduand, we were very much equals in that sense, which felt great. It was a fun experience! The friendships formed with committee members are what I cherish the most. I found myself thinking, how can one participate even after having been conferred a doctoral degree? So now I got the chance to really go for it!”
What are you most looking forward to in spring 2023?
“Rather than looking forward to any individual event, I’m concentrating on doing one thing at a time. Of course, I’m excited not only about the formal moments and the degree conferral itself, but also about the new activities, such as the event on 1 June on Espa Stage, which we’ve hired. What excites me most is seeing a sceptic or an outsider grasp the joy of it all. To have worked hard and then stand in line beside your peers – it’s such an equal experience, with both master’s and doctoral graduands together. And the way it takes you beyond the mundane, that’s the most beautiful part.”
Thank you and good luck with the Conferment Jubilee!
Text: Eva Ahl-Waris, PhD
The Swedish-language text was originally published in the official Conferment Jubilee 2023 blog, ‘Där de härliga lagrarna gro’. The blog featured short articles on the traditions, history and current state of conferment ceremonies. Its editor was Eva Ahl-Waris, PhD.