Former President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson Teaches Icelandic Society and Environment at UW

01.09.2026

From August 24 to 28, students at the University Centre of the Westfjords took part in the course Icelandic Society and Environment, taught by Dr. Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, Professor of History at the University of Iceland and former President of Iceland.

The course introduced students to selected aspects of Icelandic history, society and politics, with particular attention to questions of national identity, Iceland’s position in the international community and some of the major historical developments that have shaped the country.

During the week, students explored a wide range of topics, including important figures in Icelandic history, territorial waters and the Cod Wars, nationalism and international cooperation. The course also provided an opportunity to connect historical developments with contemporary political discussions, including Iceland’s relationship with Europe and the question of European integration.

Among the historical figures discussed were Hrafn Sveinbjarnarson and Jón Sigurðsson, both closely connected with Hrafnseyri in the Westfjords. Discussions on Iceland’s struggle over territorial waters and the Cod Wars offered further insight into the importance of marine resources, sovereignty and international relations in modern Icelandic history.

Current affairs also found their way into the classroom. With students aware of the upcoming referendum, the group discussed Iceland’s relationship with the European Union and held their own informal vote on whether accession talks should continue.

Guðni described his experience of teaching the course:

It was great fun to teach a dynamic group of students at the University Centre. We went over selected aspects of Icelandic history and, of course, could only cover the main points. I spoke a little about two great individuals from Hrafnseyri, Hrafn Sveinbjarnarson and President Jón Sigurðsson. We also discussed territorial waters and the Cod Wars, nationalism and international cooperation, and naturally, it was fitting to then turn our attention to European integration. The students were aware of the upcoming referendum, and it's interesting to note that in a vote within the group, the result was that 12 voted in favour of continuing Iceland's EU accession talks, while 12 were against. If one 'yes' had become a 'no', the result would have been almost the same as among Icelandic voters. I was probably a bit rusty in my teaching at first, but I soon remembered how enjoyable it is to work with people who are eager to learn.

The course therefore offered students an opportunity not only to gain a broader understanding of Icelandic history and society, but also to examine how historical developments continue to influence contemporary debates about sovereignty, nationalism, international cooperation and Iceland’s place in Europe.

Dr. Guðni Th. Jóhannesson served as President of Iceland from 2016 to 2024 and is currently Professor of History at the University of Iceland. He received his PhD in History from Queen Mary, University of London, in 2003 and has studied at the University of Oxford, the University of Iceland and the University of Warwick.

Before becoming President, Guðni worked as an author, journalist, translator, independent scholar and university lecturer. He has written several highly regarded works on Icelandic history as well as numerous academic articles on history and contemporary affairs. He has received a number of awards and honours for his work, including the Julian Corbett Prize in Modern Naval History and honorary doctorates from Queen Mary University of London, the University of Oulu and the University of the Faroe Islands.

The University Centre of the Westfjords would like to sincerely thank Guðni for joining us in Ísafjörður and for sharing his knowledge and experience with our students. It was a pleasure to welcome him to UW, and we are grateful for his contribution to the course and to our academic community.

We also would like to remind our readers that all master’s-level courses offered at UW are open to guest students, exchange students, and working professionals. The courses form part of UW’s two international and multidisciplinary master’s programmes: Coastal and Marine Management and Coastal Communities and Regional Development. If you are interested in signing up for a single course at UW, you can read more about it here.

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