IDSVA Founder and President Emeritus George Smith and Professor Bruce Glavovic
Professor Glavovic joins an esteemed group of past recipients that includes a Nobel Prize winner, leading scholars, philosophers, writers and artists.
He was awarded the Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his critical social science contributions to climate change science. He attended the 2024 IDSVA graduation ceremony and delivered his commencement speech at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City in April.
The IDSVA is an institute that provides doctoral training for artists, architects, curators, educators, philosophers and creative scholars through interactive online training and intensive residencies in Rome, Spannocchia Castle (Tuscany), Siena, Florence, Venice, Berlin, Paris, Athens, Madrid, Marrakech, Mexico City and New York City.
Students explore connections between the history of ideas and the history of visual culture. They critically examine Western metaphysics and how it shapes philosophy, the arts and creative fields to make sense of and address critical societal issues, like climate change.
Professor Glavovic was awarded the Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his contributions to climate change science. He attended the 2024 IDSVA graduation ceremony and delivered his commencement speech at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City in April.
Professor Bruce Glavovic and IDSVA President Simonetta Moro
In his address, he invited those in attendance, and graduating students especially, to reflect on their journey and reimagine how they might chart their path into the future in difficult times.
“How will you build on this important milestone – your distinctive IDSVA PhD? How do you understand your place on Earth? How might you live a purposeful and meaningful life? Only you can answer these questions,” he said.
Dr Glavovic went on to share his story of wrestling with such questions. Growing up in Apartheid South Africa presented confronting choices in his personal and professional life and shaped his pathway as a practitioner and as an academic. Inspired by nature and indigenous peoples and cultures, he works in support of local communities to navigate the impacts of climate and global environmental change.
Professor Glavovic described receiving the award as humbling and the highlight of his academic career.
“What makes it so special is that I am now part of a community of philosophers, artists and scholars who are challenging the received wisdom of Western metaphysics. IDSVA faculty and alumni are reconfiguring the way we think and understand the world around us and they are taking creative actions to advance human wellbeing and planetary health. I’m looking forward to collaborating with the IDSVA community well into the future. And I am looking forward to sharing what I learn with Massey students and my research partners.”
The Honorary Doctorate in Visual Arts adds to Dr Glavovic’s suite of qualifications in economics, environmental science and urban and environmental planning.