Haraldur Bernharðsson, professor of Medieval Icelandic Studies, has been appointed as Dean of the School of Humanities. He was one of three applicants and will assume the position on July 1.
Haraldur completed an undergraduate degree in Icelandic in 1991 and a postgraduate degree in Icelandic linguistics in 1995 from the University of Iceland, a postgraduate degree in linguistics from Cornell University in the United States, and a doctoral degree from the same university in 2001.
Haraldur was an instructor at Cornell University from 1994 to 1998 and at UI in 1998 and again from 2001 to 2012. He was a visiting fellow at Harvard University from 1999 to 2001, a post-doctoral fellow at UI’s Centre for Research in the Humanities from 2001 to 2005, a research fellow and specialist at The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies from 2005 to 2011, and a specialist at the Centre for Research in the Humanities from 2011 to 2012. In 2012, he became an associate professor in Medieval Icelandic Studies at the University of Iceland's School of Humanities and was promoted to professor in 2025.
Haraldur has held numerous positions of trust and leadership at the University of Iceland and elsewhere. He has served on the Icelandic Naming Committee and the Icelandic Language Committee and served as the latter’s vice-chairman for a time. He was chair of the Linguistics Society of Iceland and a member of a committee set up by a former minister of education and culture to implement Iceland’s language policy in the digital world, part of a working group on creating a language policy for the Icelandic government and director of UI’s Medieval seminar. Furthermore, he has served as a member of the managing board of the Fulbright Commission in Iceland, on the UI and the Árni Magnússon Institute’s steering committee, has led a working group on strengthening postgraduate studies at the School of the Humanities, has served as chair of the School of Humanities’ teaching committee, has served on the University Council’s academic affairs committee, the School of Humanities’ equality committee as well as the University Council’s equality committee, and has served as chair of UI’s language committee from 2024 in addition to organising numerous conferences and events in Iceland and abroad.
Haraldur has extensive experience in the international university environment and has been at the forefront of developing the international postgraduate studies in Icelandic Medieval Studies and Viking and Medieval Norse studies at UI, a collaborative project between the University of Iceland and three universities abroad. Furthermore, he has authored numerous books, book chapters, and articles in peer-reviewed journals.
“I’m looking forward to working on this challenging project with my wonderful and talented colleagues. The work carried out in the School of Humanities is outstanding, and it’s important for the University and society at large that both staff and students in the School are well-equipped. I hope that I can contribute meaningfully, and I’m looking forward to starting,” says Haraldur.
“We are fortunate to have Haraldur Bernharðsson as the Dean of the School of Humanities. He has extensive experience in research and teaching and has demonstrated diligence in his work on the University of Iceland’s various committees and in managerial roles. His experience in Icelandic studies particularly valuable at this time, when the humanities need strengthening, and the Icelandic language requires support. I am convinced that under his leadership, the School of Humanities will continue to grow and develop internationally while maintaining its important role in Icelandic society. Haraldur succeeds Ólöf Garðarsdóttir, who has held the position for over five years. I would like to thank her for her excellent work for the School of Humanities and the University of Iceland in general, as I welcome Haraldur to his new role,” says Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir, the Rector of the University of Iceland.
The School of Humanities is one of five schools at the University of Iceland. There are four faculties within the school: The Faculty of Philosophy, History and Archaeology, the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, the Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies, and the Faculty of Languages and Cultures.
