Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Gudni Jóhannesson
School of Humanities, University of Iceland.
Faculty of Philosophy, History and Archaeology.
Degrees
- 1991, BA degree in history and political science, University of Warwick, UK.
- 1997, MA degree in history, University of Iceland, Iceland.
- 1999, MSt degree in history, St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford, UK.
- 2003, PhD degree in history, Queen Mary, University of London, UK.
Honorary Doctorate
- 2017, Queen Mary, University of London, England
- 2024, University of Oulu, Finland.
Main Research Areas
Contemporary political and diplomatic history of Iceland.
Short summary
Gudni Jóhannesson (full name Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson) was the sixth president of Iceland, serving from 2016‒2024. He is now professor of history at the University of Iceland.
In the presidential elections of 2016, Jóhannesson received the largest share of the vote, 39.1%, in a field of nine candidates. Four years later, he was re-elected with 92.2% support and consistently enjoyed approval ratings in that region. In 2024, he decided not to stand for re-election.
During his presidential tenure, Jóhannesson placed emphasis on the rights of minorities and universal human rights. Furthermore, he actively supported measures to promote public and mental health. While advocating tolerance, compassion and healthy patriotism in society, he emphasized the need to combat the evils of excessive nationalism, xenophobia and other prejudices. As president, Jóhannesson was patron of various organizations in Iceland and a UN Women HeForShe Champion. Further information about the Presidency and President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson can be found on the government’s official website.
Gudni Jóhannesson was born on 26 June, 1968 in Reykjavik. In 1991, he received a BA degree in history and politics from Warwick University in England, and an MA degree in history from the University of Iceland in 1997. He then moved back to England where he continued his studies of history at Oxford University, graduating with an MSt degree in 1999 and completing his PhD in History from Queen Mary University of London in 2003. His doctoral thesis is titled “Troubled Waters: Cod War, Fishing Disputes, and Britain’s Fight for the Freedom of the High Seas, 1948-64.”
Jóhannesson is married to Eliza Jean Reid. Canadian by birth, Reid studied modern history at Oxford University and international relations at Trinity College, University of Toronto. Their children are Duncan Tindur (b. 2007), Donald Gunnar (b. 2009), Sæþór Peter (b. 2011) and Edda Margrét (b. 2013). Jóhannesson’s eldest child is Rut (b. 1994), from his previous marriage to Elín Haraldsdóttir.
Alongside his graduate studies and in the immediate years afterwards, Jóhannesson worked in journalism, both radio and print, and translated a number of Stephen King novels into Icelandic. He was also part-time lecturer at the University of Iceland and Bifröst University in Iceland. From 2007‒2010, Jóhannesson was assistant professor at Reykjavík University and then an independent researcher at the Reykjavík Academy. From 2013‒2016, he was assistant professor, associate professor and tenured professor of history at the University of Iceland. From 2004‒2007, Jóhannesson was head of the Association of Icelandic Historians, from 2011‒2015 president of the Icelandic History Society, and in 2015‒2016, he was chairperson of the board of the National Archives of Iceland.
Jóhannesson’s research interests include Iceland’s foreign relations, constitutional history, and contemporary history. His publications include numerous articles on topics such as the Anglo-Icelandic Cod Wars, Iceland’s support for Baltic independence, and the 2008 economic crisis in Iceland. In addition, he has written several books on modern Icelandic history, including a work on the Icelandic presidency which was published shortly after he took office himself. He has received a variety of recognitions for his works, including nominations for the Icelandic Literary Prize and the Julian Corbett Prize in Modern Naval History. He holds honorary degrees from Queen Mary University of London and Oulu University in Finland.
Jóhannesson is fluent in English. He speaks Danish, has a working knowledge of German and studied Russian at university level.
Lectures and talks during the Presidency
Please see Government’s official website
2024
- The Baltic way! Lecture at a conference in Riga, Latvia, under the auspices of the parliament, the Saeima, to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way in 1989.
- Open forum on sharing history. Moderates of discussion. Institute of History. University of Iceland. 26 September 2024.
