Hanna Jursch Prize 2025: Pioneering work on gender and theology honored!

Hanna Jursch Prize 2025: Pioneering work on gender and theology honored!

On May 5, 2025, the 12th Hanna Jursch Prize was awarded, an award known for its focus on gender and gender-specific perspectives in theological research. The prize bears the name of Hanna Jursch, the first woman to complete her habilitation at a German theological faculty in 1934. The award ceremony took place as part of a celebratory event organized by the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg as host. Prof. Dr. Ursula Roth is available as a contact person for further information, such as FAU reported.

The Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) has announced the winners of this year's Hanna Jursch Prize. The focus is on works that deal with the topic of “history(s), present and future of bodies”. Dean Dr. Michael Diener emphasized the high quality of the submitted work as well as the growing sensitivity for gender-specific perspectives in theological research. These aspects demonstrate the increasingly important role of such topics in the academic world EKD determines.

Prize winners in focus

The main prize goes to two outstanding works. Dr. Florence Häneke is being honored for her inaugural dissertation “‘What makes me alive.’ – A study on queer pastoral identity”. This dissertation, submitted to the Theological Faculty of the University of Basel, deals with the life stories of queer and transgender pastors and their perceptions of themselves and others. The jury recognizes this work as a pioneering achievement in German-speaking countries.

Additionally, PD Dr. Caroline Teschmer received the main prize for her habilitation thesis “Perspectives on a body-sensitive religious education for young people”, which was submitted to the University of Augsburg. This work deals with the existential and religious dimensions of being human in the context of religious education.

Young Talent Award and Special Mentions

The young talent award goes to two talented female scientists. Naemi Muñoz Perez will be honored for her thesis on “Disability-critical and feminist approaches to New Testament healing narratives,” while Donate Wagner will be honored for her senior seminar thesis on “Body and Embodiment in 1 Cor 6:12-20.” Both works show the commitment of the new generation of scientists to address complex gender and social policy issues.

The Hanna Jursch Prize is awarded every two years and serves to promote outstanding scientific-theological work with gender and gender-specific perspectives. The prize is not only a recognition of excellent research, but also a sign of progressive change within the theological discipline.