By successfully defending a PhD thesis a new "doctor" is born, but the formal act of conferring a doctor's degree takes place at the annual academic ceremony and this is what happened for me yesterday. There were eight of us this year, from a wide range of disciplines, who stood there in our green formal gowns, with our hats on and with the diplomas and the doctor's rings in our hands. This year the number of people attending the ceremony was slightly smaller than it usually is, but I think it was really nice to have the possibility to talk to almost everyone for once.

After the ceremony, I was one of the panel members, together with two computer science professors and one professor of architecture, attempting to discuss the links between art and science and we meandered between topics such as creativity, inspiration, aha moments, talent, craftmanship, and teaching. It was very interesting to hear their ideas on the topic and see where the discussion took us all. Most of us had at least some experience with art and we are, of course, members of academia, but to find the bridges between science and art and to agree on its definitions was slightly challenging. In any case, it opened up for further discussions and we had an enjoyable time mingling at dinner afterwards.

My black dress, similar to the one above, was made by me, and I bought the shoes a few years ago. The hat and the ring above were borrowed (although I have a doctor's ring of my own, which I will blog about soon), but the diploma is now my own. With this I wore my Torun Bülow-Hübe collier and quartz pendant and earrings.