Roberto Verganti holds the position of the Josefsson Family (Acting) Professor in Art and Innovation at the House of Innovation within the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE). In addition to his role at the Stockholm School of Economics, Verganti is a visiting lecturer at Harvard Business School and Co-founder of Leadin’ Lab at the School of Management of Politecnico di Milano. He serves as an Ambassador for the European Innovation Council at the European Commission, further highlighting his extensive influence and leadership in the field. Verganti is now engaged in building and seeking partners for a new center for Art and Innovation at the House of Innovation.

Verganti's research focuses on the creation of innovations that resonate deeply with both users and creators. He delves into how leaders and organizations can generate visionary ideas and effectively bring them to fruition. His work has been widely published in top-tier journals, earning him numerous prestigious awards.

“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from the University of Vaasa,” said Verganti, who connects this award with his new Chair in Art and Innovation at SSE. “This is a further invitation to continue the journey into how we can reinvent leadership and innovation. This doctorate recognizes the work I did in design, and now I am excited to explore how art can be a source of renewal in business.”

The upcoming conferment ceremony in September 2024, which will be the sixth in the University of Vaasa's history, will honor 12 distinguished individuals from various fields, reflecting the university's commitment to recognizing outstanding scientific and societal contributions. The honorary doctorates include Alexander Stubb, President of the Republic of Finland, Jacob Wallenberg, Chairman of Investor AB, and Sari Essayah, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland. Past recipients include award-winning professor Erik von Hippel from the MIT Sloan School of Management and Nobel Laureate Bengt Robert Holmström, also from MIT.