Prize papers for 2026

The Saxo Institute

Classical Greek

An ideological critical analysis of Aristophanes’s comedy Ekklesiazousai.

Contact: Head of Studies Thomas Heine Nielsen, heine@hum.ku.dk 

Latin

An analysis and discussion of the performative aspects of latin poetry with special focus on Horace’s Odes and/or Seneca’s tradegies.

Contact: Head of Studies Thomas Heine Nielsen, heine@hum.ku.dk 

Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies

Middle Eastern languages and societies

Since the arrival of modernity in Iran in the beginning of the 20th century, modern Persian literature has engaged with the clash between modernity and tradition. About this clash a smaller part of the literature has centered around the theme pastoral idyll and tradition as opposed to the hasty life and the alienating industrialization of the city. Literary criticism has only to a smaller extent focused on this theme, and therefore the subject for the prize dissertation is this: We ask for a thorough study of the above-mentioned theme based on, for instance, an ecocritical literary method. Other literary methods can also be included. Works of both prose writers and poets can be chosen for the dissertation.

Contact: Claus Valling Pedersen, Associate Professor in Persian, clausp@hum.ku.dk 

Department of English, Germanic and Romance Studies

1.

Many different views have been expressed throughout history about the relationship between literature and knowledge. The present thesis proposal calls for a discussion of how literary texts can convey, create or challenge knowledge. The thesis should illustrate this relationship by means of analyses of literary texts.

Contact: Associate Professor Julio Jensen, hmr113@ku.dk, and Associate Professor Katrine Andersen, andersen@hum.ku.dk 

2.
"Language law debates in Denmark and Germany. A corpus linguistic discourse analysis" 

Both in Denmark and Germany there have been political debates about the introduction of language laws, primarily motivated by concerns about anglicisms, along with a notable absence of immigrant languages. The debates reveal a diffuse and sometimes contradictory understanding of what language is and what role it plays in society. This understanding transcends party blocs and national borders.

A contrastive corpus linguistic discourse analysis of Danish and German political debates from the last 10 years about introducing a language law (both in parliament and in the press). The analysis should uncover

• what conceptions of language and its role in society are held by political actors
• what attitudes towards language (national language, English, dialects) and linguistic actors (press, literature, language authorities, schools) can be revealed through politicians' own language use (metaphors, keywords, collocations, etc.)
• which ‘hidden’ alliances between political actors can be observed within and across the border between Denmark and Germany.

Contact: Lars Behnke, lars.behnke@hum.ku.dk

Department of Communication

A critical examination of the debate about Denmark as a green pioneer country, based on dissidents to this representation, as well as a discussion of the forms of debate or protest that enable the emergence, visibility or circulation of this dissent.

Contact: Associate Professor Kristine Marie Berg, kristinebe@hum.ku.dk

Biblical Studies Section

”An investigation of the translation of the Bible and/or the Qurʾān, incorporating contemporary perspectives from translation theory, with particular attention to the exegetical implications and challenges that such translations involve.”

Supervisors: Tenure Track Assistant Professor Kelsie Rodenbiker, Associate Professor Frederik Poulsen, and Professor Thomas Hoffmann.

 
Church History Section

“Studies on the relation between theology and knowledge in either ancient, late antique, or medieval history of Christianity.”

Supervisor: Associate Professor Florian Wöller.

Systematic Theology Section

“The world as a theological problem”

To be answered within either ethics and philosophy of religion, dogmatics or practical theology, with a supervisor from the Section of Systematic Theology of your choice.

Supervisors: Associate Professor Carsten Pallesen, Associate Professor Christine S-V Põder, Assistant Professor Elizabeth X. Li, Associate Professor Iben Damgaard, Associate Professor Johanne Stubbe T. Kristensen, Associate Professor Mads Peter Karlsen, Associate Professor Marlene Ringgaard Lorensen, Associate Professor Mikkel Gabriel Christoffersen, professor Niels Henrik Gregersen, and Associate Professor René Rosfort.

Interdisciplinary prize paper

”How do societal, cultural, and legal dynamics shape and transform religion, religious practice, theological reflection, and understandings of religion in Denmark, historically and/or in the 21st century?”

Supervisors: Associate Professor Niels Valdemar Vinding and Associate Professor Johanne Stubbe T. Kristensen.