Kennedy School’s Rodrik claims SSRC’s inaugural Hirschman Prize

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) has selected Dani Rodrik, the Rafiq Hariri Professor of International Political Economy at the Kennedy School of Government, as the first recipient of its newly instituted Albert O. Hirschman Prize.

The prize is awarded in recognition of “outstanding contributions to international, interdisciplinary social science research, theory, and public communication, in the tradition of Albert Hirschman,” according to the SSRC. A Harvard professor from 1964 to 1974, Hirschman is regarded as a pioneer in the field of economics and politics in developing countries, particularly in Latin America.

“This is quite an unexpected honor, and quite a humbling one as well,” said Rodrik. “Albert Hirschman’s playful mind, unmatched erudition, and innumerable contributions to social science have long been an inspiration in my own work. He has set the standard that those of us who follow in his footsteps can only aspire to reach.”

Rodrik will deliver the annual Albert O. Hirschman Prize Lecture at a November ceremony in New York. The lecture will be published by the SSRC as part of its new Albert O. Hirschman Lecture Series as well as posted on the council’s Web site. Rodrik will also receive an award of $10,000.

SSRC engages practitioners, policymakers, and academic researchers in all the social sciences and related professions, as well as in the humanities and natural sciences, on important public issues, with the goal of bringing necessary knowledge to public action.