Sackler Visiting Professor Joel Mokyr Wins Balzan Prize

Prof. Joel Mokyr of Northwestern University and Tel Aviv University wins in field of economic history
16 September 2015

Prof. Joel Mokyr, a Raymond and Beverly Sackler Senior Professor by Special Appointment at Tel Aviv University’s Eitan Berglas School of Economics, is one of four winners of the prestigious Balzan Prize, in the category of economic history.  

 

The generous prize – which grants 750,000 Swiss francs ($755,000) to each recipient – is awarded by the International Balzan Prize Foundation, an organization that promotes culture, the sciences and worthy initiatives in the cause of humanity, peace and fraternity among peoples throughout the world. Four annual prizes are awarded: two in literature, moral sciences and the arts; and two in the physical, mathematical and natural sciences and medicine.

 

Prof. Mokyr is Robert H. Strotz Professor of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Economics and History at Northwestern University, Illinois. He is well-known for his work on the historical origins of the knowledge economy and on long-term economic growth and the history of technology. Prof. Mokyr is the author of Why Ireland Starved: An Analytical and Quantitative History of the Irish Economy 1800-1850; The Lever of Riches: Technological Creativity and Economic Progress; The British Industrial Revolution: An Economic Perspective; The Gifts of Athena: Historical Origins of the Knowledge Economy; and the forthcoming A Culture of Growth: Origins of the Modern Economy. 

 

Prof. Mokyr has been a Sackler Visiting Professor at TAU since 2001 and has forged close ties with the Berglas School. “I consider myself very much part of the Berlgas School community and use its affiliation with great pride,” he says.

 

Prof. Neil Gandal, Head of the Berglas School, says, “In addition to being an outstanding researcher, Joel is a special human being. His commitment to the School goes well beyond that required of a Sackler Professor. From the minute he arrives at TAU, Joel invests a tremendous amount of time and effort in teaching, participating in seminars and meeting with faculty and students. When he returns to Northwestern, he remains in touch with the students.  We, the faculty, always enjoy his visits and are sorry when they end.” 

 

 

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