The Rector has decided, in consultation with the President of the Faculty of Humanities, that Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, former President of Iceland and Professor of History at the University of Iceland, will become the Jón Sigurðsson Professor at the University of Iceland from 1 July. Jón Sigurðsson was a prominent Icelandic scholar and statesman and the leader of the 19th century Icelandic independence movement.
The position is based on a parliamentary resolution from Althing in 2011, marking the 200th anniversary of Jón Sigurðsson's birth and the centenary of the University of Iceland. Among the key tasks of the professor is to organise annual conferences and summer school courses at Hrafnseyri, where Jón Sigurðsson was born.
Guðni Th. Jóhannesson says: "I am honoured to take on this distinguished professorship and hope to continue the good work that Guðmundur Hálfdanarson has done. I look forward to collaborating with the local community in the Westfjords, especially at the University Centre of the Westfjords."
Guðmundur Hálfdanarson, Professor of History at the University of Iceland, has held the position since 1 April 2012. During this time, he has contributed to and strengthened various projects in collaboration with institutions and individuals in the Westfjords, such as archaeological research and summer courses at Hrafnseyri, conferences in Ísafjörður, including in collaboration with the University Centre of the Westfjords, and the activities of Tungumálatöfrar (Magical Language) in Ísafjörður.
Since 2023, Guðmundur has also served as Chairman of the Hrafnseyri Committee, whose role is to act as a professional support for the site manager at Hrafnseyri and to ensure that the activities at Hrafnseyri support cultural and educational work in the Westfjords.
Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland," says.: "It is a great asset for the University of Iceland to have the former President, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, take on this role, as he possesses unique knowledge and experience that will be very beneficial in this position, especially regarding activities in the Westfjords. I especially want to thank Guðmundur Hálfdanarson for his excellent work over the past years as the Jón Sigurðsson Professor."
Ólöf Garðarsdóttir, Dean of the School of Humanities, says: "I warmly congratulate Guðni Th. Jóhannesson on the professorship named after Jón Sigurðsson. He is highly deserving of this position, having worked on research in the field of political and personal history for a long time. I look forward to following Guðni's work in the coming years. At the same time, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Guðmundur Hálfdanarson for his contribution to research and dissemination during his tenure. He has played a significant role in further strengthening the fruitful collaboration between the University of Iceland and educational and cultural institutions in the Westfjords."