Heitmeyer honored with Federal Order of Merit – A life for justice!

Heitmeyer honored with Federal Order of Merit – A life for justice!

Professor Dr. Wilhelm Heitmeyer was awarded the Federal Order of Merit, 1st Class, on October 1, 2025. He received this honor at a ceremonial ceremony in Bellevue Palace, which was presided over by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Heitmeyer, who founded the Institute for Interdisciplinary Conflict and Violence Research (IKG) at Bielefeld University in 1996, is an outstanding figure in the research of social conflict and violence.

In his speech, the Federal President praised Heitmeyer's extensive scientific work, in particular his research on hatred and violence as well as hostile attitudes towards minorities. These topics are more relevant today than ever. Heitmeyer's commitment to social integration and his critical analyzes of group-based misanthropy are important for understanding social tensions in Germany and beyond.

Group-based misanthropy

Heitmeyer developed the concept of group-related misanthropy, which describes derogatory and exclusionary attitudes towards people based on their social group membership. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education, such attitudes show that many people perceive violence or discrimination in the form of prejudice against minorities. bpb.de reports that around 37 percent of Germans in 2014 were of the opinion that there were too many foreigners in the country.

Heitmeyer's long-term project on group-related misanthropy, which has been carried out at the IKG since 2002, has provided significant insights into this problem. It includes representative telephone interviews with 2,000 people aged 16 and over and documents that in 2014 only 21 percent of Germans took a stand against all forms of group-related discrimination. This research project offers a detailed overview of the social situation and the ideological background of such attitudes.

Influence and recognition

Heitmeyer, who worked as a senior professor until summer 2025, has published numerous publications. This also includes the ten volumes of the study “German Conditions”, which is described as a seismograph for social developments. In the 1990s he pointed out the increasing right-wing radical tendencies and xenophobia in Germany.

Angelika Epple, Rector of Bielefeld University, emphasized Heitmeyer's influence on the university and the importance of his work for the international visibility of conflict research. In addition to numerous prizes, such as the Göttingen Peace Prize in 2012 and the Innovation Prize of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia in 2014, Heitmeyer has also worked under renowned scientists such as Nobel Prize winner Amartya Sen.

His commitment to the integration of marginalized groups into society and his work against discrimination make him a sought-after expert and interview partner.

Challenges of the present

The results of Heitmeyer's research are particularly significant in the context of current social debates about migration and integration. The findings from the studies on group-related misanthropy show that derogatory attitudes are widespread not only in Germany, but also in European comparison. Such prejudices cause psychological stress and lead to discrimination against “weak” groups.

Right-wing populist movements often use the feeling of threat to stir up prejudice and name scapegoats. Heitmeyer's work contributes to a better understanding of these developments and to developing solutions that unite society.

Professor Dr. Even at the age of 80, Wilhelm Heitmeyer remains active and respected in the social and scientific debate about violence and social disintegration.