One year after his death, international research prize honours memory of the passionate European.
Henrik Enderlein, former President of the Hertie School, visionary professor, teacher and mentor, passed away from cancer one year ago today at the age of 46.
In his memory, the German Federal Foreign Office and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Hertie School and Sciences Po in Paris, launched the Henrik Enderlein Prize this year. The prize is awarded to outstanding young researchers whose work makes an exceptional and practical contribution to the future of Europe. An international jury chaired by economist Jean Pisany-Ferry will select the recipient, and the award ceremony will take place on 15 June 2022 at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Passing on Enderlein's legacy to the younger generation
Members of the Hertie School leadership, Supervisory Board and Board of Trustees, as well as the Hertie Foundation, reflected on the impact of the late Professor of Political Economy.
"Henrik Enderlein was not only a bright mind, but also a passionate European,” said Cornelia Woll, President of the Hertie School. “With the Henrik Enderlein Prize, we are proud that we can not only preserve his legacy, but also pass on his ideas to the younger generation.”
"During Henrik Enderlein's presidency, the Hertie School caught up with the world's leading public policy schools," said Bernd Knobloch, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Hertie School. Frank Mattern, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, added, "The success and greatness of the Hertie School as we know it today would hardly have been possible without his drive and visionary actions."
"We are glad that we were able to work with Professor Enderlein and create a top academic institution in the heart of Europe with the Hertie School, where his ideas live on," said Frank-Jürgen Weise, Chairman of the Board of the non-profit Hertie Foundation.
Henrik Enderlein: founder, mentor, president
Enderlein served as President of the Hertie School from 2018 to 2021. In 2014, he founded the Jacques Delors Centre, a think tank he led as director until his death. From 2012 to 2013, he was the Pierre Keller Visiting Professor of Public Policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. From 2006 to 2007, he was the Fulbright Distinguished Chair in the Department of Political Science at Duke University. In 2003, he was awarded the Otto Hahn Medal of the Max Planck Society for outstanding achievements by young scientists. He received his PhD from the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies in Cologne and was a graduate of Sciences Po in Paris and Columbia University in New York. Prior to his academic career, he worked as an economist at the European Central Bank in Frankfurt.
Professor Enderlein played a key role in shaping the Hertie School since its founding. He was a close confidant and advisor to our past presidents, serving as Associate Dean (2008–2012 and 2014–2017), Programme Director of the Master of Public Policy (2009–2012) and of Executive Education (2007–2009). During his tenure as President of the Hertie School, he designed a strategic plan for the future that included the development of five new Centres of Competence and a significant expansion of research and teaching capacities.
