Johannes Bent receives Klaus Mehnert Prize for groundbreaking dissertation

Johannes Bent receives Klaus Mehnert Prize for groundbreaking dissertation

On March 13, 2025, Dr. Johannes Bent was awarded the Klaus Mehnert Prize of the German Society for Eastern European Studies (DGO). The award ceremony took place as part of the DGO's annual meeting and was endowed with prize money of 1,000 euros. Bent's dissertation entitled "Ernst Troeltsch and Eastern Europe: Interwar Interpretations and Applications of a German Philosopher of History" represents a significant contribution to the history of political ideas, such as europa-uni.de reported.

During his acceptance speech, Bent spoke about the challenges and self-doubt he experienced during his dissertation. He thanked his supervisors, scholarship programs, university administrators, and his family and friends for their support. The dissertation was written as part of a binational doctoral process at Viadrina and the University of Tallinn.

Research content and methodology

Bent had already dealt with Ernst Troeltsch in his master's thesis, inspired by Prof. Dr. Gangolf Hübinger. His dissertation deals with the transfer of ideas and examines how Troeltsch's work was received in the historical cultures of Eastern Europe. To support this, he analyzed original Russian, Czechoslovak, Hungarian, Romanian, Polish and Baltic sources. Hübinger praised Bent for his innovative contribution to East-West connections in the European interwar period.

Bent's research addresses the upheavals after the First World War and the subsequent reorganization of historical knowledge in Europe. The current geopolitical challenges, which have once again come to the fore due to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, seem particularly relevant to him. These current developments provide points of reference for the historical questions addressed in his dissertation.

Historical context of the award

The Klaus Mehnert Prize has been awarded since 1995 and honors outstanding academic work dealing with Eastern Europe. The winners of recent years demonstrate a variety of topics and methods. Among the previously awarded researchers are Clara Frysztacka (2019) and Susann Worschech (2017), who also come from Viadrina. These awards reflect the diversity and relevance of Eastern European research.

• 2023: Sophie Schmäing, Dissertation: „Urban Democracy in the Making…”
• 2022: Acelya Bakir, Dissertation: „Sehen, Hören, Mitmachen…”
• 2021: Katharina Schwinde, Dissertation: „Eine Sache, die uns alle angeht!”
• 2020: Johannes Socher, Dissertation: „Russia and the Right to Self-Determination…“
• 2019: Alina Jašina-Schäfer, Dissertation: „Places of Belonging…”

Bent belongs to a long tradition of researchers who research Eastern European topics and contribute to the geopolitical discussion through innovative approaches. The prize is not only an award for personal achievements, but also a recognition of the relevance of the scientific examination of an often overlooked part of European history.

As the DGO notes on its website, the Klaus Mehnert Prize is an important indicator of the quality and depth of research in the field of Eastern European studies. His receipt is not just a personal success for Dr. Johannes Bent, but also a sign of the dynamic and diverse research landscape in the context of Eastern European studies, which continually provides new perspectives and insights, even in difficult times.