We are delighted to announce that Professor Melinda Mills, Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science, has been awarded a prestigious Honorary Doctorate from the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy.
This distinction is a testament to Professor Mills’ pioneering work across the social sciences, particularly in the areas of family inequality, fertility, methodological innovation, and her trailblazing contributions to sociogenomics, which bridges genetics and the social sciences.
In his laudation, Professor Juho Härkönen (EUI) praised Mills for her "innovative and impactful research," noting:
“Interdisciplinary research is in high demand and crucial for understanding today’s complex problems.”
Professor Mills used the occasion to reflect on the challenges of pushing disciplinary boundaries, highlighting the structural obstacles that interdisciplinary scholars often face:
“Interdisciplinary research is often praised for its potential to address ‘big picture’ problems and complex challenges, yet the academic structures in which it operates are not designed to support it easily.”
She expressed her deep gratitude to the EUI for their recognition and openness to diverse forms of scholarship.
This honour places Professor Mills among a distinguished group of past recipients, including:
- Karl Ulrich Mayer (2021)
- Claudia Goldin (2017, Nobel Laureate)
- Jean Tirole (2015, Nobel Laureate)
- Jacques Delors (2012)
- Thomas Sargent (2008, Nobel Laureate)
- Sir Anthony B. Atkinson (2002)
- Albert O. Hirschmann (2002)
As part of the celebration, Professor Mills delivered a keynote lecture titled:
"From Friction to Flourishing: Navigating the risks, rewards and long-term advantages of interdisciplinary research"
📖 Read more about the lecture here: EUI event page
📺 Watch the full award ceremony (Mills’ award begins at minute 34):
YouTube – EUI Conferring of Honorary Degrees 2024
We extend our warmest congratulations to Professor Mills on this richly deserved recognition!
