The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) presents the “Fundamental Academic Values Award” to early career scientists. The award is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). By awarding three prizes for research publications, the DAAD aims to contribute to the advocacy of fundamental academic values, to promote important research in this area and to further stimulate the discussion about these values.

Award Winners 2022

In 2022, the “Fundamental Academic Values Award” was awarded to Janika Spannagel (Freie Universität Berlin, Germany, 1st place), Dr Elizaveta Potapova (Public Policy and Management Institute, Lithuania, 2nd place) and Dr Milica Popovic (Central European University, Austria, 3rd place). The winners will receive prize money of 7,000, 6,000 or 5,000 euros, depending on their placement. They are also invited to present their paper at a DAAD event next year. The award ceremony is planned for 2023 in a festive setting.

Within the framework of the DAAD project , we received 55 applications for the “Fundamental Academic Values Award” at the time of the deadline of submission (deadline: 31 August 2022). A jury of experts in the field of fundamental academic values selected three award recipients in November 2022. Selection criteria were the quality and relevance of the research publication and the scientific achievements of the candidates. 

Background 

Fundamental academic values such as academic freedom and integrity, institutional autonomy, participation of students and staff in higher education governance and public responsibility for and of higher education have accompanied the Bologna Process since its very beginning and are playing an increasingly important role in higher education policy debates. Hence, the puts particular emphasis on the protection of “fundamental values of higher education and democracy and the rule of law”. The reference to fundamental values is also in line with the European Commission’s strong commitment to this topic and supported by the new Erasmus+ programme 2021-2027. In addition, the role of universities for democratic societies and the education of critical thinking is more strongly addressed.
 

Further Information (German only)