Nils Holtug

Nils Holtug is Professor of Philosophy at the Department of Communication, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen. His academic journey includes an MA (1990), PhD (1995), and Dr.phil. (2011) in Philosophy from the University of Copenhagen. Career progression includes Assistant Professor (1997-2000), Associate Professor (2000-2014), Professor of Political Philosophy (2014-2019), and current full professorship since 2019, with a leave period (2020-2021) spent as Professor of Political Theory at Aarhus University.

Research interests center on political philosophy, particularly:

• Distributive justice frameworks (egalitarianism, prioritarianism)
• Identity politics and migration ethics
• Social cohesion in multicultural societies
• Secularism, population ethics, and global justice paradigms

Publications demonstrate consistent focus on justice theory and social dynamics, with recent works (2025) addressing identity politics and ethical representation, while earlier books analyze nationalism, multiculturalism, and egalitarian principles. Output includes 214+ research items across books, journals, and anthologies.

Awards include:

• Einar Hansen Award for Humanities Research Excellence (2013)
• Sapere Aude Top-Researcher Grant (2013-2017)

Research leadership roles:

• Director: Centre for Study of Equality & Multiculturalism (2007-present), Centre for Advanced Migration Studies (2013-2019)
• Steering Committee: Migration Initiative (2008-2010), SOCED Project on Social Cohesion (2010-present)
• Editorial boards: Bioethics, Ethics, Oxford Studies in Political Philosophy, Utilitas, Economics and Philosophy