The International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam is proud to announce that Professor Thea Hilhorst has been awarded the prestigious Spinoza Prize for her work on the impact of humanitarian aid on society and the ways in which people and institutions shape the organization of aid relations.
The Spinoza Prize Opens external is the highest award in Dutch academia. It is awarded by the Dutch Research CouncilOpens external (NWO) each year to researchers for their outstanding and groundbreaking research with a broad social impact. The prize comes with a bronze statue of its namesake, 17th century Dutch scientist Baruch Spinoza, and prize money of 2.5 million euros to be spent on academic research.
Professor Hilhorst is considered one of the founders of the relatively new research area of humanitarian studies. Her work is highly significant in the context of current global challenges such as international migration, climate change and pandemics.
