Professor Raphael Cohen-Almagor has been awarded the Olof Palme's visiting professorship – one of the most important professorships in the world in the field of peace studies.
Awarded to internationally prominent researchers in the humanities, social sciences, theology or law, the professorship was established by the Swedish Riksdag (parliament) in 1987 in memory of Sweden’s former prime minister, Olof Palme.
Every year, the Swedish Research Council issues a call and Swedish universities compete by nominating internationally prominent researchers in areas of importance for the understanding of peace in a broad context – areas to which Olof Palme had a life-long commitment.
The research may cover areas such as international politics, peace and conflict research and the comparison of social institutions.
Professor Cohen-Almagor said: “It is an honour to be recognised with this prestigious professorship. I have spent more than 35 years of my life on peace and conflict resolution, first as a peace activist who worked with Israeli leaders and Palestinian peace and human rights activists to find a way out from the cycle of continued violence, and later as an academic. I am extremely pleased to be able to contribute further at a global level.
Professor Cohen-Almagor will take up the professorship in 2023 and will work at Lund University, Sweden.