This pioneering award, first announced in 2011 on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Central European University, honors academics in the social sciences and humanities who teach at higher education institutions in the European Higher Education Area. The Diener Prize of 5,000 euros, which accompanies the award, is made possible by a generous gift from Steven and Linda Diener in memory of Ilona Diener.
The award jury commended Dr. Siebert’s work, stating his application was “among the most notable in a highly select group from a highly diverse pool of gifted educators from across the European Higher Education Area."
The evaluations were outstanding, with an exceptional average rating of 1.1 on a five-point scale over six years and countless enthusiastic comments attesting to the lasting impact of the courses. Phrases such as “best course ever”, “mindblowing”, and “this course changed my life” were not exceptions but rather typical of the feedback received.
Since joining MCI in 2017, Dr. Siebert has revolutionized the way decision-making is taught. His teaching philosophy combines innovation, research-driven content, and socially engaged learning. Central to his approach is the conviction that education must go beyond knowledge transfer and actively empower students to make informed, ethical, and sustainable decisions. Highlights of his teaching include his popular MOOC “Making Smart Decisions Proactively”, AI-powered decision tools such as Entscheidungsnavi, and the educational initiative KLUGentscheiden, creating a strong link between academic learning and real-world impact.
In addition, he makes a significant contribution to the dissemination of knowledge. He has been featured in interviews with Der Standard and the ZEIT Studienführer, is a regular guest author at Focus Online, and delivered a highly successful TEDxTalk that has already been viewed more than 175,000 times.
“This nomination is a wonderful recognition of my mission: to equip students not only with knowledge but with the courage and competence to make better decisions for themselves, their organizations, and society. I am sincerely thankful that my students and colleagues recognize and appreciate my dedication to teaching,” says Dr. Siebert.
Link to more information:
https://www.mci.edu/en/news-filter-en/117-studyprogram-news/276-news-business-management-for-professionals/6739-mci-professor-johannes-siebert-nominated-as-finalist-for-european-teaching-award