Claes de Vreese receives the 2025 Carlsberg Foundation Research Prize

Professor Claes de Vreese from the Digital Democracy Centre at SDU has just received the Carlsberg Foundation’s prestigious research prize, which is awarded each year to two researchers who have made significant contributions to basic research.

The prize of DKK 2 million is awarded on the recommendation of an international committee.

Claes de Vreese, who has Danish and Dutch roots, receives the award for his important and interdisciplinary research into how political behaviour is influenced by digital media.

A scientific pioneer in his field

The Prize Committee’s motivation for awarding the prize to Claes de Vreese states, among other things:

- Claes de Vreese is a pioneering and internationally revered expert on the role of automation, algorithms and artificial intelligence in democratic processes. He is a resourceful academic leader who has launched vital research centres at his two host institutions: the University of Southern Denmark and the University of Amsterdam.

- Claes de Vreese makes definitive marks on a complex research field that requires deep basic research and the capacity to engage big societal questions.

About receiving the prize, Claes de Vreese says:

- It is a fantastic honour to receive this prize, and I see it as recognition of a team effort. I have worked with many talented colleagues in Denmark, the Netherlands and other parts of the world, and it is those collaborations that make the research both better and more enjoyable.

Big challenges require a social science perspective

Claes de Vreese’s area of research is constantly evolving and at the same time enjoys great attention from both political parties and tech giants.

Therefore, the recognition and the prize mean a lot because they support free basic research.

- The award makes it possible to test things in research that otherwise would not always be feasible. Another advantage is that the prize provides the opportunity to collaborate with younger colleagues, so we get even more perspectives on the issues, Claes de Vreese says, adding:

- At the same time, I see the prize as a recognition of the fact that some of today’s most pressing challenges emerge in the interplay between technology and society, where a social science perspective can offer crucial insights. We really need insights from different disciplines to understand current developments, and social science can guide us in this work.