Honorary Doctorate Prof. Stella Nkomo

Abstract

On October 17, 2023, during the 100th Dies Natalis of Radboud University, Stella Nkomo received an honorary doctorate from Radboud University. This doctorate was awarded in recognition of her groundbreaking research on the intersection between race and gender in managerial and organisational contexts. This edition includes honorary promotor Yvonne Benschop’s laudatio, Stella Nkomo’s acceptance speech, and a detailed recollection of Stella Nkomo’s professional history.

Stella Nkomo was among the first researchers to address race as a distinct and relevant category within the field of management and organisation studies. In her research, Nkomo revealed that the notion of race neutrality in organisations is but a myth, and that systemic racism is alive and well within organisational contexts. Nkomo also played a big part in bringing intersectional research to life within management and organisational studies, noting that gender and race should be studied as interrelated factors that impact each other. She continues to strive for greater equality in managerial and organisational contexts, as well as for the decolonisation of management and organisational studies, to this day.

Honorary promotor Yvonne Benschop, professor of business administration and organisational behaviour: “your pioneering scholarship exemplifies what it means to make a significant impact, in the strategy words of our university. Your deep commitment to racial justice and equality and your willingness to engage in difficult conversations respectfully is motivating many of us.”