Four academics from The University of Birmingham’s College of Arts and Law have each been awarded a prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize, recognising that their outstanding research work has attracted international recognition and that their future career is exceptionally promising.

The four recipients of a £100,000 award are:

  • Professor Rosie Harding, Professor of Law and Society at Birmingham Law School and Chair of the Socio-Legal Studies Association,
  • Professor Fiona de Londras, Professor of Global Legal Studies and Deputy Head of Birmingham Law School,
  • Dr Lucie Ryzova, Senior Lecturer in Middle East History at the School of History and Cultures, and
  • Professor Ian Phillips, Professor in Philosophy of Psychology at the School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion

The four academics will use their awards to continue research in their current areas of interest and explore new ones.

Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Arts and Law, Professor Michael Whitby, said:

‘These awards are well deserved recognition of the breadth, value and impact of these four academics’ outstanding work. They must be congratulated on their achievements.

‘As well as the prestige that the awards bring, the financial input will further strengthen ongoing research but also open up new opportunities - an exciting prospect for the academics, the College of Arts and Law, and the University.

‘It is also a remarkable achievement for the University of Birmingham to receive four out of the 30 Philip Leverhulme Awards given this year. The fact that all the recipients have come from the College of Arts and Law is also extremely significant and it reflects our unstinting commitment to research and researchers.’

For interview requests or for a copy of the report, please contact Rebecca Hume, Communications Manager, University of Birmingham on +44 (0)121 414 9041

For out of hours media enquiries, please call: +44 (0) 7789 921 165

  • Philip Leverhulme Prizes have been awarded annually since 2001 in commemoration of the contribution to the work of the Trust made by Philip Leverhulme, the Third Viscount Leverhulme and grandson of William Hesketh Lever, the founder of the Trust. The prizes recognise the achievement of outstanding researchers whose work has already attracted international recognition and whose future career is exceptionally promising.
  • In 2017 the Trust offered five prizes in each of the following subject areas: Biological Sciences; History; Law; Mathematics and Statistics; Philosophy and Theology; Sociology and Social Policy.
  • Each of the 30 Prize Winners receives £100,000 which can be used over two or three years to advance their research.
  • In 2018 the Trust will invite nominations for prizes in: Classics; Earth Sciences; Physics; Politics and International Relations; Psychology; Visual and Performing Arts.