Patricia Hill Collins Awarded $1 Million Berggruen Prize

By: WE Staff | Wednesday, 15 November 2023

Patricia Hill Collins has been honoured with the prestigious Berggruen Prize for Philosophy, a substantial $1 million award recognizing her groundbreaking research on the intersections of race, gender, social class, and sexuality.

The Berggruen Prize, established in 2016 by philanthropist Nicolas Berggruen, celebrates individuals advancing powerful ideas that significantly shape our world. Collins, focusing on how these intersections create unique experiences, especially for Black women, perfectly embodies the spirit of this esteemed award.

Collins, the first in her extended family to graduate, expressed a range of emotions upon learning about the award, emphasizing her work on social justice, equity, and social inequality was a dedicated commitment, not pursued for recognition.

Her groundbreaking book, "Black Feminist Thought," written while teaching at the University of Cincinnati laid the foundation for her influential career. Despite initial setbacks, including the firing of her book's team, Collins experienced a groundswell of support that kept the book alive. The themes developed in this seminal work resonate far beyond the experiences of Black women.

Collins expanded her research in subsequent works, including "Black Sexual Politics: African Americans, Gender, and the New Racism," "Fighting Words: Black Women and the Struggle for Justice," and her latest book, "Lethal Intersections."

Joining the UMD Department of Sociology faculty in 2005, Collins significantly impacted sociology and African-American studies. Colleagues and students express gratitude for her contributions, highlighting her well-deserved recognition.

In future plans, Collins intends to dedicate part of the prize money to libraries and library initiatives, inspired by her academic journey where access to a good public library system played a pivotal role. Additionally, she aims to give back to the American Sociological Association’s Minority Fellowship Program, supporting her during her graduate studies.

The Berggruen Prize awarded to Patricia Hill Collins reflects her positive impact on sociology and the broader social sciences, showcasing a career dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering social change.