Tim Jensen (elected 2025)

Tim Jensen is Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern Denmark, Odense, and Honorarprofessor at Leibniz Universität, Hannover. He has devoted his distinguished academic career to advancing the field of religious studies through exceptional leadership, innovative research, and unwavering commitment to scholarly communities worldwide.

For most members of the EASR, it is obvious to associate Professor Jensen with the leadership of the IAHR, which he has represented in the past twenty years, first as Secretary General (2005-2015) and then as President (2015 to 2025). But Professor Jensen has also been also a key figure in the EASR, of which he can be considered one of the founding fathers. He played a pivotal role in establishing the organization, laying the groundwork for its growth and development. He was the first General Secretary of the Association, holding that position from 2000 to 2004. His efforts were instrumental in strengthening the organization’s framework and enhancing its international outreach in the early stages of the Association’s life. Apart from that, we should also remember his earlier commitment to what was then the Danish Association for the History of Religions (now the Danish Association for the Study of Religion), in which he served as president from 1997 to 2005.

His organizational skills and dedication to the growth and development of the IAHR, the EASR, and the DASR have been of immense value to our discipline and have helped fostering precious dialogues and collaborations within our scholarly community.

Beyond his service work for the discipline, Professor Jensen’s academic contributions are impressive and manyfold. His collaborative efforts in projects like the SORAPS-Project (Study of Religion Against Prejudices and Stereotypes) from 2017 to 2019, designed to empower schoolteachers with advanced knowledge in religious studies and counteract stereotypes, highlight his commitment not only to academia but also to societal impact. His role as Co-Director of the CARD/Critical Analysis of Religious Diversity Network, funded by the Danish Research Council, reflects his pursuit of critical and methodologically rigorous analysis in religious diversity.

Throughout his career, Professor Jensen has remained academically prolific, contributing to numerous publications and serving on editorial boards of prestigious journals such as NVMEN and Temenos. Moreover, Professor Jensen’s involvement extends beyond academic boundaries. His position on the board of the Danish Institute of Human Rights from 2013 to 2021 signifies his dedication to human rights and ethical considerations in education and societal structures.

In recognition of his exceptional dedication, profound influence, and continuous contributions to the scholarly study of religion, it is a pleasure to confer on Tim Jensen the Honorary Life Membership of the EASR.

Krakow, 24.8.2025