The Norwegian-German Willy Brandt Foundation has honoured Prof. Dr Bernd Henningsen with the Willy Brandt Prize 2025. The prize was awarded to the former Professor of Scandinavian Studies/Cultural Studies at Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin (HU) on Tuesday, 6 January 2026 at the Government Guest House in Oslo, Norway, in the presence of Sigrun Aasland, Norwegian Minister of Research and Higher Education. This honour recognises the German scientist for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of German-Norwegian relations. In addition to Bernd Henningsen, the journalist, author and historian Astrid Sverresdotter Dypvik was also honoured.
Prof Bernd Henningsen commented on the award: "The prize is a great recognition not only for me, but also for the Northern European Institute and our colleagues and students. With German reunification and the subsequent reorganisation of some subjects, the opportunity arose after 1992 to reestablish Scandinavian Studies at a central location in the German capital. The ambition was to become a social and political hinge between the Northern European countries and Germany, a central centre of research, knowledge and learning about Northern Europe. In all modesty, this has been achieved and is a source of satisfaction. The Institute's third-party funding balance and the career successes of many of our graduates - not least in the North - are fine proof of the good Northern European-German relations."
About the person
Prof Dr Bernd Henningsen, born in 1945, has made a significant contribution to academic and cultural cooperation between Germany and Northern Europe over several decades. Appointed Professor of Scandinavian Studies/Cultural Studies at the HU in 1992, he was the founding director of the Northern Europe Institute. He taught and researched the politics and culture of the North. Retired in 2010, he remains associated with the institute to this day, teaching every winter semester and supervising students. He has carried out several major projects for German-Norwegian cooperation and is committed not only to imparting knowledge to students, but also to politicians and decision-makers.