HU sociologist Steffen Mau has been awarded the Communicator-Preis 2023 by the Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) and the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft. Mau researches and communicates about social inequality and injustice, the structural change of the middle class and new border regimes. The award ceremony will take place on 26 June 2023 at the DFG Annual Meeting.
The jury of science journalists, communications and PR experts recognised Mau's efforts to bring objectivity to heated public discourse with a variety of communication formats - including smaller events, social media contributions, science slams and non-fiction bestsellers. He avoids provocative theories and initiates science communication in a low-threshold manner where it has not yet taken place frequently. He also spokespersons with those he is researching. He uses theatre performances or direct discussions with writers to create stronger links between science and culture.
Congratulations from the President
HU President Julia von Blumenthal is delighted that the Humboldtian has been honoured: "Steffen Mau contributes his research to social debates in a concise and effective way and finds the right language. He shows how comprehensively science affects our everyday lives. I congratulate Steffen Mau on this great and well-deserved honour."
About Steffen Mau
Steffen Mau has been Professor of Macrosociology at HU since 2015. Born in Rostock, he initially trained as an electronics technician at VEB Schiffselektronik Rostock and studied sociology and political science at the Free University of Berlin. In 2001, he received his doctorate from the European University Institute in Florence. He was Professor of Political Sociology at the University of Bremen from 2005 to 2015. His academic work has received numerous awards, including the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz-Preis from the DFG in 2021. His more recent publications, which are aimed at a wider audience, include: "Sorting Machines. The reinvention of the border in the 21st century" (2021), "Lütten Klein. Leben in der ostdeutschen Transformationsgesellschaft" (2019) and "Das metrische Wir. On the quantification of the social" (2017).
About the prize
The Communicator-Preis, endowed with 50,000 euros, is awarded to scientists who are particularly creative in their science communication and address their target groups in an appropriate and effective way. The prize money is intended to enable the realisation of new communication projects.