David Dyzenhaus (photo by Nina Haikara)
David Dyzenhaus recognized with 2025 Killam Prize in social sciences
Published: March 19, 2025
David Dyzenhaus, a University Professor in the Faculty of Law and the department of philosophy in the Faculty of Arts & Science, has received the 2025 Killam Prize for social sciences.
The annual prize, valued at $100,000, recognizes researchers at Canadian universities who have achieved international scholarly eminence in health sciences, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences or humanities.
Dyzenhaus's research focuses on the idea of legality in philosophy of law and political thought, constitutionalism and the modern legal state. A world-leading scholar in the role of rule of law in societies under stress, he is credited with demonstrating the practical implications of legal theory. His political philosophy expertise also includes the works of 17th-century English philosopher Thomas Hobbes.
"The Killam Prize is one of the most prestigious accolades that can be bestowed upon a Canadian scholar,” said University Professor Jutta Brunnée, dean of the Faculty of Law and James Marshall Tory Dean’s Chair. “David’s contributions to legal philosophy and his work defending the rule of law globally have influenced generations of scholars. This recognition from the Killam Trusts underscores the remarkable impact of his research.”
“David has shaped debates by demonstrating the relevance of seemingly abstract issues in legal philosophy to the most pressing problems of legal practice, showing how a commitment to government in accordance with the law is also always a commitment to governing in a way that respects the status of those who are governed as free and equal human beings," added Arthur Ripstein, University Professor of law and philosophy, acting chair of the department of philosophy and a recipient of the 2021 Killam Prize in humanities.
Dyzenhaus is the third scholar from the department of philosophy to receive a Killam Prize in the past decade, alongside Ripstein and University Professor Emeritus Tom Hurka. The department also contributed the inaugural Killam Prize in humanities awardee, the late University Professor Emeritus Ian Hacking.
