Each year, the University Board at UiO presents awards to academic staff for outstanding efforts and achievements. The awards for 2025 have been designated to the following researchers:
- Research Award: Professor Carl Henrik Knutsen, Department of Political Science
- Education Award: Associate Professor Stian ?by Johansen, Department of Public and International Law
- Dissemination Award: Professor Gunnveig Gr?deland, Institute of Clinical Medicine
- Innovation Award: Professor Jan Terje Andersen, Institute of Clinical Medicine
- Award for Young Researchers: Professor Sirianne Dahlum, Department of Political Science
– UiO is ranked among the best universities in the world; this reflects the quality of our researchers and research environments, and this year's awards clearly demonstrate this quality. I would like to extend my congratulations and heartfelt thanks for the significant efforts! says Rector Svein St?len.
Pro-Rector ?se Gornitzka heads the award committee which makes recommendations to the University Board.
– I warmly congratulate all the awardees! Once again, we have had outstanding candidates for all the awards. The winners contribute groundbreaking and important research, education, innovation, and dissemination. They serve as an inspiration for all of us who work at the University of Oslo, she remarks.
Research Award
Professor Carl Henrik Knutsen receives the Research Award for his work in political science, specifically political and economic development, regime changes, and democracy. He stands at the forefront of international research in this field. With commitment and enthusiasm, he delves into and explores significant questions, such as why countries develop into democracies or dictatorships, and how such regimes influence economic growth. Knutsen combines theoretical arguments with thorough empirical analyses, often based on extensive data collection. Simultaneously, he possesses a strong capacity for disseminating his research and contributing to public debate, particularly regarding the evolution of democracy.
Read more about Carl Henrik Knutsen and his research
Education Award
Associate Professor Stian ?by Johansen receives the Education Award for his numerous significant contributions to the development of education at the Faculty of Law. Johansen has been a pioneer for both students and staff through the introduction of digital teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also provided training for colleagues in the learning management system Canvas, teaches pedagogical courses for temporary staff, and has acted as an informal mentor for new teachers.
Read more about Stian ?by Johansen and his work (in Norwegian)
Dissemination Award
Professor Gunnveig Gr?deland receives the Communication Award for her efforts in the field of vaccines, their development, efficacy, and potential limitations and side effects in Norway. She explains complex issues related to vaccines in a comprehensible and credible manner. This communication became particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gr?deland's contributions are grounded in her own research, and she has been a clear voice, arguing against vaccine sceptics and conspiracy theories with professional integrity.
Read more about Gunnveig Gr?deland and her work
Innovation Award
Professor Jan Terje Andersen receives the Innovation Award for his contributions to biomedical innovation. Since the early stages of his career, he has combined long-term groundbreaking research with innovative work in close collaboration with the business community and other stakeholders, both nationally and internationally. This has resulted in a significant portfolio of innovations with substantial utility in terms of better treatment and quality of life for patients, as well as extensive cost savings for the healthcare system.
Read more about Jan Terje Andersen and his work
Award for Young Researchers
Professor Sirianne Dahlum receives the Award for Young Researchers. She became a professor at a young age, and is a prominent contributor to democracy research, focusing on how citizens relate to political regimes and challenge leaders through protests. Her research has revealed that citizens may be more open to authoritarian forms of governance than previously assumed, and how support for democracy can weaken.
Read more about Sirianne Dahlum and her research
About the University Board Awards
The University of Oslo annually acknowledges achievements in research, education, dissemination, and innovation through five awards.
The awards aim to stimulate increased activity and inspire the academic communities at the university. Each winner receives 250,000 NOK and a work of art.