Philomena Essed, PhD, Professor of Critical Race, Gender, and Leadership Studies at Antioch University’s Graduate School of Leadership and Change, has been awarded the Academy Medal by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. This prestigious honor recognizes her profound contributions to the study of racism, both in the Netherlands and globally.
Essed’s work, particularly her seminal book Everyday Racism (1984), has shaped our understanding of institutional and everyday racism despite initial controversy. Her intellectual courage and pioneering research methods have not only influenced academic discourse but also empowered communities, educators, and policymakers.
The Academy Medal, awarded biennially, is one of the Netherlands’ highest honors in science and scholarship. Essed will receive the award on June 5, 2025, in recognition of her lifelong dedication to justice, scholarship, and societal transformation.
Beyond academia, Essed is deeply committed to mentorship and social change, supporting young scholars—often first-generation university students—and amplifying critical new voices. Her impact reaches far beyond her own research as she continues to inspire a new generation of changemakers.
Read more about Essed’s work and the Academy Medal by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.
