Winner of the European teaching award
Professor Astrid Kunze has won the EEA Award for Exceptional Teaching. ‘It shows that courses about diversity and inclusion are acknowledged and recognised even in the economic sciences,’ says Kunze.
‘I was very surprised and feel very proud to have won this award. Being able to incorporate diversity into the business curriculum has been very stimulating and rewarding,’ says Kunze, Professor at NHH’s Department of Economics.
The courses she has developed at NHH (‘Human capital, mobility and diversity in firms’ and ‘Diversity in firm and ethics’) won’t be found at other universities and high schools, where economy courses that focus on gender, diversity and inclusion are seldom offered.
‘Like winning gold at the European championships’
‘The award is first and foremost a great honour for Astrid, but also for the Department of Economics and NHH. It’s a bit like winning a gold medal at the European championships,’ says Kurt Brekke, Head of Department.
He is full of praise for his fellow professor, who has been with NHH since 2002.
‘The award shows three things: that Astrid Kunze is an exceptional teacher and has made an impressive contribution to developing important courses for NHH’s students, relating to the labour market, ethics and diversity. Furthermore, that she has invested in developing new student-centred methods of learning and teaching,’ says Brekke.
A source of motivation
Kunze makes clear that it’s the benefit to students that motivates her.
‘Winning this award is incredibly motivating. It shows that courses about diversity and inclusion are acknowledged and recognised even in the economic sciences. It’s so important that students are given a chance to learn more about interdisciplinary perspectives – especially in economics, management, strategy and finance – and that we focus on empirical research in the field,’ says Kunze.
About the award
The European Economic Association (EEA) is an international scientific body that promotes the development and application of economic science throughout Europe. In addition, it focuses on improving communication and work exchanges between teachers, researchers and students of economics, across Europe. The EEA is one of the foremost collaborative bodies for economists in Europe, and is equivalent to the American Economic Association in the USA.
The EEA Award for Exceptional Teaching is given in three categories:
Junior (non-tenured)
Senior (tenured or equivalent)
Early career (teaching assistants and/or PhD students).
Astrid Kunze received EUR 1,000 as the winner of the Senior category.