Communication professor and holder of the Wallis Annenberg Chair in Communication Technology & Society Manuel Castells (pictured) won Spain's 2008 National Sociology and Political Science Prize, in recognition of Castells' contributions and scientific achievements in sociology and political science.
The seven-person jury, chaired by chairwoman of the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (Sociological Research Center) and comprised of sociology and political science academics, unanimously voted to award the prize to Castells.
"The jury unanimously agreed to award the Prize to sociology professor Manuel Castells, drawing particular attention to his career and international scope, as well as his academic impact in a variety of fields of sociology studies," the jury announced. "His influence in areas such as urban sociology, the study of social movements and the development of the Information Society and its consequences have made Professor Castells a worthy winner. One must also highlight his capacity for thematic innovation and for efficiently combining academic tradition with the new tools employed in sociology."
The award will be delivered to Castells in a formal ceremony in Madrid in June 2009 by Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega and Princess Cristina de Borbón, in the presence of members of the royal family and dignitaries of the Spanish government.
Castells is the author of 22 academic books and editor or co-author of 21 additional books, as well as more than 100 articles in academic journals.
