Martti Nissinen receives honorary title of Academician of Science

Professor Maarit Karppinen, Professor Martti Nissinen and Professor Seppo Ylä-Herttuala have been awarded the honorary title of Academician of Science, the highest honour that can be bestowed on any individual scientist in Finland. President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb granted the titles at a presidential session on 9 October 2026.

Professor Maarit Karppinen’s field is inorganic chemistry, Professor Martti Nissinen’s theology and Professor Seppo Ylä-Herttuala’s molecular medicine. They are all highly distinguished scientists and scholars with a pioneering track record in their respective fields of research. Their work has wide-ranging relevance and impact across different sectors of society.

The title of Academician of Science can be held by no more than 16 distinguished Finnish scientists and scholars at a time. The title is awarded by the President of the Republic based on nominations by the Research Council of Finland (RCF).

Societal understanding of linkages between religion, culture and history

Professor Martti Nissinen is a Finnish theologian and an internationally renowned scholar of the Old Testament. Nissinen, Professor of Old Testament Studies at the University of Helsinki since 2007, is one of the world’s leading scholars in his field.

His research has focused in particular on the literature of the ancient Near East, prophecy, the historical and cultural linkages of Old Testament texts, and the study of gender and sexuality in an ancient context. His work has significantly enhanced our understanding of how biblical texts were formed as part of the wider cultural and religious context of the ancient Near East.

Within his own research community, Nissinen regards cross-disciplinary research collaboration between disciplines and universities as one of the keys to success.

On this occasion, Nissinen said: “My own successes are, above all, shared with the RCF-funded Centre of Excellence in Changes in Sacred Texts and Traditions (2014–2019), which I led, and with the multidisciplinary, inquisitive and egalitarian community that worked there.”

“The research has required a great deal of open-mindedness and money. Fortunately, humanities research is still funded and valued in Finland.”

Nissinen has held a number of significant national and international positions of trust: chair of the Board of the Foundation of the Finnish Institute in the Middle East (2010–2021); chair of International Meetings Program Committee of the Society of Biblical Literature; chair of the Selection Committee of the Section of the Humanities of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters; and member of the editorial and advisory boards of several international scientific journals.

In addition to his scientific work, Nissinen has been a prominent social debater. He has given hundreds of public talks and has appeared extensively in the media on issues such as those relating to sexual and gender minorities. Nissinen’s research has influenced both academic debate and the wider societal understanding of the relationships between religion, culture and history.

Photos of the Academicians are available to the media in the RCF media bank.

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