Chancellor Trish Oakley and Emerita Professor Jocelyn Harris, who received an Honorary Doctor of Literature on Saturday.
In a ceremony at the Dunedin Town Hall on Saturday, University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka staff gave two standing ovations to Emerita Professor Jocelyn Harris (CNZM) when she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Literature.
The alumna, lecturer and writer who championed women’s studies in English was recognised with one of the University’s most prestigious awards.
Professor Harris was thrilled.
“I was proud to accept the honorary doctorate, as an acknowledgement not only of my own achievements but also the successes of all my many wonderful students,” she says.
“I see this award as recognition of the vital role that literature and the humanities in general play in society.”
Professor Harris graduated from Otago with a Master of Arts (First Class Honours) in 1961, before receiving a scholarship to undertake postgraduate studies at the University of London.
After graduating with a PhD in 1968, she spent a few years in the United States of America where she worked on a landmark edition of Samuel Richardson’s seven-volume novel, Sir Charles Grandison.
She returned to Otago as a lecturer in the Department of English in 1971, where she remained until her retirement in 2006.
Throughout her tenure at the University, she advocated for women’s voices in English studies and academia, establishing a course on contemporary women’s writing and ensuring women writers were represented in third-year course on the Renaissance, Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Writing.
She has been credited as fighting for and establishing a place for the study of women’s writing within English literature at the University.
During this time, she served two terms as the Head of the Department of English and, in 1994, was the only female professor of English in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Alongside these roles, she co-founded the Dunedin Collective for Woman (1971-1982), served as the inaugural co-president of the Otago University Staff Women’s Caucus in 1987, and represented academic staff on the University of Otago Council (1995-1999).
She also served as the French honorary consul in Dunedin for many years and was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her service to education in 2009.
Professor Harris has also published three books on Jane Austen and numerous articles in international journals.
She sees the University as a home and a haven, especially the superlative library which grants her access to the books and databases needed for her research.
“Because I could search the eighteenth-century books and newspapers online, I could provide context for Jane Austen’s work that had not previously been known.”
Professor Harris says although she is retired, she still sees her colleagues and follows the University with keen interest.
“I loved teaching at Otago, where the interaction between students and teachers allowed us to learn together.
“Presenting the graduation address on Saturday felt like those times again.”
Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson says Professor Harris has been an outstanding advocate for women, academia and the environment while also carving an illustrious career in literature.
“I had the honour to be taught by Jocelyn when I was a student. Not only is she a world-class scholar, she was a teacher who inspired and challenged her students. We’re incredibly grateful for all she has given to Otago.”
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