On behalf of the EMES International Research Network community, we are proud to share this important recognition of one of our founding members, Marthe Nyssens. Yesterday, she received an Honorary Doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa) from Aix-Marseille University.

A professor at UCLouvain and internationally recognised researcher, Marthe Nyssens has played a pivotal role in shaping the SE field, co-founding EMES and contributing significantly to its international development.

She notably led the ICSEM Project — a pioneering worldwide research initiative bringing together scholars from across the globe to identify, analyse, and compare social enterprise models across countries, regions, and fields.

 She is currently leading the scientific coordination of WISESHIFT, a Horizon Europe-funded project (“Multi-level policies and theories on how to leverage Work Integration Social Enterprises for inclusive and sustainable socio-economic transition”), in which EMES is actively involved.

 Her work has consistently advanced our understanding of democracy in organisations,  social enterprise models and the role of the social economy in societal transformation.

This recognition also resonates strongly within the EMES community, currently led by Francesca Petrella, continuing a shared commitment to advancing research, dialogue, and impact in the field.

 Congratulations, Marthe, on this well-deserved recognition!

Learn more: https://lest.fr/fr/articles/2026/03/democratie-en-actions-perspectives-interdisciplinaires