Francqui Chair 2024-2025: prof. dr. Pamala Wiepking
(10-10-2025) The prestigious Francqui Chair at Ghent University was granted to sociologist Pamala Wiepking.
Sociologist prof. dr. Pamala Wiepking (the Netherlands, 1978) is the Stead Family Chair in International Philanthropy at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and Professor of Societal Significance of Charity Lotteries at the Center for Philanthropic Studies, Department of Sociology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
She studies cross-national and interdisciplinary explanations of philanthropy. She aims to create more generous, equitable and just societies and she is the 2017 UMD SPP Do Good Institute-ARNOVA Award for Global Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership recipient for her leadership in international philanthropy and nonprofit research. She has published (co-)authored research on philanthropic behavior in –among others– Social Forces, European Sociological Review, Social Science Research, Journal of Business Ethics, Voluntas, the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly and Journal of Philanthropy and Marketing.
She is co-editor (with Femida Handy) of the Palgrave Handbook of Global Philanthropy, which won the 2016 ARNOVA Virginia A. Hodgkinson Research Book Prize. She is a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Philanthropy and Marketing and the Journal of Civil Society. In 2023, she co-edited (with Beth Breeze and Donna Day Lafferty) The Fundraising Reader, a one-stop resource containing 88 essential extracts from key writing on fundraising.
Pamala is one of the founding members of the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP).
Francqui Chair
The Francqui Chair, existing since 1933, is one of the cornerstone initiatives of the Foundation. The Francqui Chair is a title awarded by the Francqui Foundation to a professor from another university on the proposal of the universities and is intended to give lectures for a series of more or less 10 teaching hour. This Chair encourages the collaboration and exchanges between (mostly Belgian) Universities. This, in turn, enriches academic environments, advances academic excellence and interdisciplinary research, and also contributes to strengthen the different universities’ reputations.
Inaugural lecture
The inaugural lecture, the first in a series of lectures, took place on Tuesday 7 October 2025.
Presentation Inaugural lecture.
Philanthropy as a Catalyst for More Generous and Equitable Societies: A Global Perspective
Philanthropy—literally “love of mankind”—has long played a role in improving wellbeing and addressing social challenges. Unlike public funding, philanthropic giving can often respond more quickly, support diverse needs in pluralistic societies, and take risks that governments may avoid. Yet it also raises questions about power and accountability. In this lecture, I explore how philanthropy can become more democratic—shifting decision-making to the communities it aims to serve. Drawing on global examples such as community philanthropy and trust-based giving, I highlight how these approaches can strengthen civil society. I also examine the growing threats to civic space worldwide and share lessons from countries that have successfully protected and expanded it.
Program
16:00 - 17:30: Inaugural lecture
- Introduction by prof. dr. Lesley Hustinx, promotor of the chair, Department of Sociology
- Awarding of the Ghent University Medal by prof. dr. Sami Zemni, dean Faculty of Political and Social Sciences
- Inaugural lecture by prof. dr. Pamala Wiepking
17:30 - 19:00: Reception
For more information, contact promotor of the chair, prof. dr. Lesley Hustinx (lesley.hustinx@ugent.be).
Lecture series: Why do people give? And how can we make the world more just together?
In this lesson series, we dive into the world of philanthropy: from small acts of help to large global initiatives. We examine how people support each other worldwide, the challenges that come with it, and how philanthropy can contribute to solving social issues. We also look into the role of governments and how philanthropy is organized in different countries. Finally, we explore how philanthropy can be made more just and accessible to everyone. An inspiring series for anyone who wants to understand how giving can change the world.
Inaugural lecture: Philanthropy as a Catalyst for More Generous and Equitable Societies: A Global Perspective
7 October 2025: 16:00 - 17:30
De Krook, Room De Verwondering, Miriam Makebaplein 1, Ghent
Lecture 1 (in Dutch): Hoe helpen mensen wereldwijd elkaar? En wat zijn problemen hierbij?
23 October 2025: 16:00 - 18:00
Campus Tweekerken, Aud. C, Hoveniersberg 24, Ghent
Lecture 2 (in Dutch): Wat is filantropie en hoe kan het helpen bij het oplossen van grote maatschappelijke problemen?
24 October 2025: 10:00 - 12:30
Campus Boekentoren, Aud. 4, Blandijnberg 2, Ghent
Lecture 3: Interactive workshop (in English): Democratizing Philanthropy: Bridging Academia and Practice
3 December 2025: 15:00 - 17:00
Campus Boekentoren, Aud. Vandenhove, Rozier 1, Ghent
Lecture 4 (in Dutch): Hoe organiseren we filantropie in verschillende landen? En wat is de rol van de overheid hierbij?
4 December 2025: 13:00 - 15:00
Campus Boekentoren, Room 0.1, Blandijnberg 2, Ghent