Birkbeck academics win Leverhulme Prizes

Two academics from Birkbeck’s School of History, Classics and Archaeology have been recognised in this year’s awards from the Leverhulme Trust. The prizes, with a value of £70,000 each, are awarded to outstanding young scholars who have made a substantial and recognised contribution to their particular field of study.

Dr Filippo de Vivo and Dr Caroline Humfress were recognised in the Medieval, Early Modern, and Modern History category.

The judges commended Filippo’s book Information and Communication in Venice: Rethinking Early Modern Politics as having made a "major contribution to the history of early modern Venice and also to the history of information and propaganda." It was also noted for being "remarkable for…its penetrating political insights."

Filippo said of his award: "I’d like to thank the Leverhulme Trust for this honour. It would not have been possible without the support of the School and in particular Julian Swann who nominated us for these awards," said Filippo. "This prize will enable me to complete my new work on Thomas Hobbes' relations with Venice and with reason of state theories and to develop a comparative interdisciplinary project on intelligence and secrecy in the early modern age. The prize is a wonderful opportunity at this stage in my career."

Caroline was recognised as "a brilliant young scholar who has deservedly won international recognition and respect for her path breaking work on Roman law and its reception and on the history of political thought." Her recent book Orthodoxy and the Courts (2007) is described as an "outstanding interdisciplinary study combining law, history and theology."

They both cite Birkbeck’s research ethos as significant in their Awards success. "Birkbeck’s commitment to research-led teaching creates a stimulating environment in which to explore innovative areas of research in a small group setting." said Caroline. "Being able to work with groups of incredibly committed undergraduate and postgraduate students makes research-through-teaching a reality."

Caroline is now developing a comparative project on early canon law and Roman law and an international project on comparative ancient legal history.

The Trust, established at the wish of William Hesketh Lever, the first Viscount Leverhulme, makes awards for the support of research and education. The Trust emphasises individuals and encompasses all subject areas, and with annual funding of some £40 million, the Trust is amongst the largest all-subject providers of research funding in the UK.

Click here to learn more about the Leverhulme Trust and the 2008 Prizes

Click here to learn more about Dr Filippo de Vivo

Click here to learn more about the work of Dr Caroline Humfress