La Universidad Nacional de Rosario awarded the highest title to the French sociologist and author, a reference for his contributions in the field of Clinical Sociology.

La Universidad Nacional de Rosario He awarded the title Doctor Honoris Causa to the French sociologist Vincent de Gaulejac. The distinction was carried out virtually and was broadcast live on UNR's official YouTube channel. 

The rector Franco Bartolacci highlighted that the Honoris Causa Doctorate is the most important recognition awarded by the University, and in the symbolic act of this, "there is also the unanimous decision of the Superior Council to incorporate the honoree into the faculty of our institution." 

“In general, when institutions decide to recognize someone with a degree of such importance, they emphasize the abilities of that person and also what type of institution we want to be, what mirror we choose, what university we want. With this title Vincent de Gaulejac we rank the university that we want to build, the one we project, the one we want it to be”, explained rector Bartolacci, adding: “In the complex world in which we live, the University should be perhaps more than ever a device that through scientific development, the production of knowledge, and its social commitment, helps to change the lives of people who have a hard time. In Vincent's life testimony, there is a horizon and a road map where the UNR chooses to find a way to make that contribution that we consider invaluable today”.

Vincent de Gaulejac is Professor of Sociology at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Paris – Diderot, he is also the author of more than twenty books and creator of the ÉRÈS collection of clinical behavior sociology. 

He was director of the Laboratory of Social Change (Changement Social) since 1981. Also, he was the founder of the International Institute of Clinical Sociology of which he is a member, he is one of the main initiators of the scientific orientation that focuses on the existential dimension of social relations . He developed research groups and participation in fifteen countries in Europe, North America and South America. 

“It is an act of justice that we can from the Universidad Nacional de Rosario recognize the career of this enormous sociologist and professional. There is no doubt that Vicent de Gaulejac has the merits for the UNR to carry out this ceremony and I celebrate the initiative of being able to make it part of our university community," said the dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Alejandro Vila, one of the promoters. of this recognition.  

The 76-year-old teacher is one of the main French representatives of the current of clinical sociology, an approach that tries to articulate the social and psychic dimensions by focusing on the singularity of the paths and experiences, using for this the approach of the stories of life. 

“I want to thank Rector Franco Bartolacci, Dean Vila, and all the members of the UNR who worked to be able to carry out this act from a distance. I don't believe in coincidences, and it is no coincidence that the Sociology Laboratory is addressing the problem of bullying based on the research that Vicent did in all the psychosocial intervention seminars. He is a great thinker, a benchmark in the area, and was one of the main people responsible for taking the knowledge of clinical sociology around the world”, Julio Cesar Luna, director of the UNR Clinical Sociology Laboratory.

His research led him to explore, neurosis class, the sources of shame, the fight for places, the cost of excellence, the patient management company or the causes of discomfort at work.

“At the end of a very busy career, a highly prestigious University gave me this great recognition. I hope to be able to go to Rosario soon to thank you in person and to be able to tour the various spaces of this institution", said Vincent de Gaulejac and added: "I would like to tell you that through me, it is clinical sociology that is being honored. Clinical sociology is something collective, for which I want to thank all the colleagues who have transmitted knowledge to me with the freedom to think, to enter into relationships and to create”.

In turn, the new Doctorate Honoris Causa stressed that he has been privileged on his way through the University since he has met an immense number of students who have contributed their bit to the consolidation of Clinical Sociology. “The conference that I prepared is called 'I love the University' and it is based on those experiences that I lived in this space. It has not only allowed me to fulfill myself in France, but also to get to know other continents and embark on various adventures throughout all these years”. 

Journalist: Gonzalo J. García