UQ language expert receives world renowned research award

A University of Queensland researcher has received a prestigious Humboldt Foundation Research Award for his work in the field of German Studies.

Professor Tim Mehigan, Head of UQ’s School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies, joins an elite group of Australian scholars to have received the award in the 60 year history of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

The last such research award to an Australian scholar in the international field of German Studies was 20 years ago.

UQ President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj congratulated Professor Mehigan on becoming a member of the exclusive club of Humboldt Prize winners.

“The Humboldt Foundation is a highly-respected German-based European research body that funds research to and from Germany in all fields of knowledge,” Professor Høj said.

“Few Australian researchers receive this award.

“Only research of a world-leading nature is acknowledged through such an award, and the University congratulates Professor Mehigan in receiving such a high honour.”

Humboldt Foundation Research Awards recognise academics whose fundamental discoveries, new theories or insights have had a significant impact on their discipline and who are expected to continue producing cutting-edge achievements in the future.

Direct applications are not accepted and the awards are only made following nominations by institutions in Germany and a lengthy process of assessing nominations.

Professor Mehigan said it was a great honour to have his work recognised is this way.

“It is very humbling to be ranked alongside past recipients of the Humboldt Research Award, who are held in the highest esteem in their fields, and to have my academic contributions so highly acknowledged by my peers.

“It will also be an honour to take part in several joint activities at the University of Bonn over the next 12 months, such as co-teaching a doctoral seminar, co-organising a conference and co-authoring a monograph, which will be of great benefit to UQ and also to the School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies,” Professor Mehigan said.

Media: Lynda Flower, School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies, 07 3365 6247, l.flower@uq.edu.au