From the outset, the AARS has had the aim of promoting scholarly research and understanding the historical and cultural bases for runic studies in Scandinavia and North America, with a major goal to see that an endowed chair in runic studies was established at a prominent university. We are excited that in April of 2021, that dream became a reality when Professor Henrik Williams was installed as Professor of Runology at Uppsala University.
Watch the event video below:
Here is what has been accomplished:
- Henrik Williams’s position title changed to Professor of Runology on April 1, 2021.
- Uppsala University has agreed to establish a new assistant professor tenure-track position in runology, with the search now underway.
- Minnesotans, Myrna and Charlie Smith, have agreed to a bequest through the American Friends of Uppsala University to Uppsala University for 1.5 million dollars.
- Uppsala University has agreed to provide SEK 5,000,000 to further strengthen and promote the growth of runic research at Uppsala University.
The late Nils Hasselmo was an Uppsala University graduate who was avidly interested in runes, served as president of the University of Minnesota, was a former American Friends of Uppsala University (AFUU) board member, and was a strong supporter of an endowed professorship in runic studies. He diligently worked to make this a reality. In addition, AARS board members have promoted this project and spread the word when making presentations to organizations throughout the United States. One major gift has been secured, and AARS and the AFUU continue to seek additional funds.
American Friends of Uppsala University. Learn more about current projects for those seeking to donate. Contributions to this 501(c)(3) are tax-deductible for Americans through the Internal Revenue Service. https://afuu.org
Runes are thousand-year-old messages carved in stone. Find out how your donation would be dedicated to advancing runic studies. It includes links to make an immediate contribution. https://afuu.org/current-campaigns/research-on-runes/
Discover American Friends of Uppsala University. Read the mission statement for AFUU and discover the prestigious membership of its board of directors. https://afuu.org/about-american-friends/
Researcher Profile, Dr. Henrik Williams, Ph.D. Doctor Williams is a major advisor to the American Association for Runic Studies. This page describes his work as a leading international scholar in the studies of runes. https://katalog.uu.se/empinfo/?id=XX3298/