Jeffrey Alexander Receives Honorary Doctorate from the University of Veracruz

Jeffrey Alexander and Rector Martín Aguilar Sánchez

 In a solemn session, the General University Council (GUC) of the Veracruzana University (UV) awarded the Doctorate Honoris Causa to Jeffrey C. Alexander whose contributions have significantly marked cultural sociology.

Rector Martín Aguilar Sánchez, as president of the GUC (Universidad Veracruzana), led the ceremony at the “Miguel Vélez Arceo” forum at the Casa del Lago, as part of the 2025 International University Book Fair (FILU).

During the reading of his biography, led by José Carlos López Hernández, a professor from the Faculty of Sociology, his commitment to a critical and reflective sociology and his defense of the autonomy of culture as an explanatory engine of social life were highlighted. In his speech, Alexander affirmed that “sociology de-objectifies reality, revealing that social structures are human constructs and, therefore, transformable.” In this sense, he upheld an approach based primarily on understanding this discipline as an agent of transformation and change.

Miguel Ángel Barnet Lanza and Pablo Ángel Meira Cartea were also awarded the Doctorate Honoris Causa at the event. University authorities and community members, special guests, and the general public attended.

CCS Faculty Fellow Nelson Arteaga Botello hosted Jeff during his trip to Veracruz.

Jeffrey Alexander with CCS Faculty Fellow Nelson Arteaga Botello and colleagues