This year marks the 40th anniversary of the publication of the PhD dissertation of Jean-Luc Fray, historian and doctor honoris causa of the University of Debrecen.
The volume, which details the rise of Nancy as a ducal residence in the last centuries of the Middle Ages, has become an important work of urban history not only in France. Jean-Luc Fray began his academic career at Nancy-Université and continued it in Clermont-Ferrand, where he now holds the title professor emeritus. His research topics are manifold; he has examined the history of medieval spatial structure, spatial perception and urban development processes. He has participated in numerous conferences in Debrecen.
In his teaching, the instruction of Central European history has gained great importance, within which he also deals with Hungarian history. The two universities have maintained a partnership since 1993, and Jean-Luc Fray has consistently played an active role in fostering this relationship: he has assisted two doctoral students, one Hungarian and one French, in the preparation of their PhD dissertations.
In 2015, he was awarded the title of doctor honoris causa of the University of Debrecen.
