Nine Historians Awarded $300,000 Each by Dan David Prize for Pioneering Research

The Dan David Prize has announced nine historians as the 2024 recipients, each awarded $300,000 to further their research. The winners' studies range from India's democratic origins to the Warsaw Ghetto's hidden archives and Viking remains in Britain.

"To decode the complexities of the present and face future challenges, we need to first of all better understand our past," said Ariel David, a board member and son of the prize's founder, Dan David. He praised the winners for offering new historical insights through innovative methods.

Focus on Diverse Historical Studies

This year's honourees include Keisha Blain from Brown University, who explores the roles of working-class Black women in the US civil rights movement. Another recipient, Cat Jarman, uses scientific techniques like carbon dating and DNA analysis to uncover stories about Viking armies and English kings.

Other winners are Benjamin Brose from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Cécile Fromont from Harvard University; Daniel Jütte from New York University; and Stuart McManus from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Their research spans various historical periods and regions.

Recognising Early and Mid-Career Historians

The award, established in 2001 by Romanian businessman Dan David and headquartered at Tel Aviv University, has shifted its focus to support historians in the early and middle stages of their careers. This change aims to significantly boost their research capabilities.

Past laureates include notable figures such as Canadian author Margaret Atwood, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and Dr Anthony Fauci, a leading US infectious disease expert. The prize continues to honour those who illuminate history in bold and creative ways.

Celebrating Historical Insight

The remaining recipients this year are Kathryn Olivarius from Stanford University, Katarzyna Person from the Warsaw Ghetto Museum, and Tripurdaman Singh from the Geneva Graduate Institute. Their work contributes to a deeper understanding of diverse historical contexts.

An awards ceremony was held in Italy to celebrate these achievements. The Dan David Prize board highlighted that understanding our past is crucial for addressing present complexities and future challenges.

The prize continues to recognise historians who use innovative methods and source materials to offer valuable new perspectives on history. This year's winners exemplify this commitment through their diverse and impactful research.