Bernhard Pörksen Snags Erich Fromm Prize
Media scientist Bernhard Pörksen from Tübingen will be the recipient of this year's Erich Fromm Prize. The International Erich Fromm Society, located in Griesheim near Darmstadt, announced this on March 14th. Pörksen's work and dedication mirror the principles of humanistic psychology and Erich Fromm, the award's namesake.
The 10,000 euro award will be presented to Pörksen on his 124th birthday, March 23rd, in Stuttgart. The prize honors individuals who present significant achievements in preserving or promoting humanistic thought and action. Erich Fromm, a renowned social psychologist, gained fame for works such as "The Art of Loving" (1956) and "To Have or to Be" (1976).
Pörksen's achievements have earned him wide acclaim in the fields of media and psychology. His win of the Erich Fromm Prize has drawn praise from numerous experts in these fields.
Born in 1969 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, Bernhard Pörksen studied Germanistics, Journalism, and Biology in Hamburg. He continued his education at the Pennsylvania State University under Ivan Illich's prestige. Pörksen's Ph.D. thesis, "The Construction of Enemy Images: On the Language Use in Neo-Nazi Media," was completed in 1999[1].
Throughout his career, Pörksen has held various academic positions, including being a Junior Professor for Journalism and Communication Science at the University of Hamburg (2002), a Professor for Communication Theory and Media Culture at the University of Münster (2006), and a Professor for Media Science at the University of Tübingen (2008)[1].
Pörksen's research has primarily focused on the dynamics of public outrage, media scandals, and media ethics. He has also delved into communication models, communication theories, and inscriptions of politics and media. His work spans publications on systems thinking and constructivist philosophy, particularly in the areas of knowledge theory, cybernetics, and communication psychology[1].
Notable publications include "Die Beobachtung des Beobachters" (The Observation of the Observer) – a constructivist discursive approach, and "Die große Gereiztheit" (The Great Irritation) – an analysis of societal consequences of networking and digitalization. Collaborative works like "Die Kunst des Miteinander-Redens" (The Art of Mutual Conversation) with Friedemann Schulz von Thun enhance debate quality through psychology and media science[1].
Pörksen is an active participant in public debates and media discussions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he has been critical of conspiracy theories and analyzed the government's crisis communication. He advocates for strengthening gatekeepers in journalism and science to distinguish between facts and misinformation, emphasizing the importance of truth and certainty[1].
Pörksen's accolades include the "Professor of the Year" award in 2008, the Studium Professionale Prize in 2013, and the "Gegen Vergessen – Für Demokratie" prize in 2021. His book "Die große Gereiztheit" was named "Sachbuch des Monats" (Book of the Month) in March 2018[1].
[1] Enrichment Data
This prestigious award, titled the Erich Fromm Prize, recognizes Pörksen's substantial contributions to media studies and public engagement. The International Erich Fromm Society acknowledged his accomplishments in promoting humanistic thought and action, aligning with the social psychologist's legacy, Erich Fromm (1900-1980).
