This year’s laureates in the economic sciences – Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James Robinson – have demonstrated the importance of societal institutions for a country’s prosperity. Societies with a poor rule of law and institutions that exploit the population do not generate growth or change for the better. The laureates’ research helps us understand why.
In her oeuvre, Han Kang confronts historical traumas and invisible sets of rules and, in each of her works, exposes the fragility of human life. She has a unique awareness of the connections between body and soul, the living and the dead, and in her poetic and experimental style has become an innovator in contemporary prose.
“for her polyphonic writings, a monument to suffering and courage in our time”.
Herta Müller reads from her book ‘Der Mensch ist ein großer Fasan auf der Welt’.
Listen to Imre Kertész’s speech at the Nobel Banquet, 10 December 2002.
Han Kang talks about how writers as a collective have influenced her: “All their efforts and strengths have been my inspiration.”
Curious to read 2024 literature laureate Han Kang? Steve Sem-Sandberg from the Swedish Academy gives his book tips.
Listen to the interview with Moungi Bawendi.
Carolyn Bertozzi on the purpose of scientists.
David MacMillan has a strong belief.
Katalin Karikó on how to stick with your beliefs.
Svante Pääbo on doing research.
Ardem Patapoutian on his love for science.
Photo: Science Museum London/Science and Society Picture Library [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Alexander Mahmoud
Geir Mogen/Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience
Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) has become the strongest symbol of non-violence in the 20th century. It is widely held – in retrospect – that the Indian national leader should have been selected for the Nobel Peace Prize. He was nominated several times, but was never awarded the prize. Why?
Mahatma Gandhi laughing.
Photo: Public domain.
A team of female Yazidi deminers in Iraq attempting to clear their land of mines left behind by ISIS. A team of scientists on an extraordinary mission in Mozambique to help better our understanding of climate change. A man building prosthetic legs to help victims of war walk again in South Sudan … All are inspired by Nobel Peace Prize laureates.
