SDU professor receives prestigious Dutch award for research on AI and democracy
Claes de Vreese, professor and director og SDU’s Digital Democracy Center has been awarded the 2026 NWO Stevin Prize for his research into how artificial intelligence, algorithms and digital media influence democracy, political communication and public debate.
Whilst artificial intelligence and big tech are in the process of reshaping politics, democratic discourse and values, SDU Professor Claes de Vreese’s research is providing groundbreaking insights into how democratic values can be safeguarded in this process – both in Denmark, the Netherlands and internationally.
That is why Claes de Vreese is receiving one of the Netherlands’ most prestigious scientific honours, the NWO Stevin Prize, for his many research achievements and their clear impact on society. The prize comes with a grant of 11.2 million Danish kroner for new research activities and impact initiatives.
Claes de Vreese is head of the Digital Democracy Centre at SDU and a professor at the Centre for Politics and Communication at the University of Amsterdam; he has advised the Danish and Dutch governments, the European Commission, the European Parliament and a number of international media organisations on issues relating to democracy and digital technologies.
Real societal impact
The award committee’s statement for awarding the prize to Claes de Vreese reads:
- In addition to his achievements as a researcher in the fields of communication and comparative European politics, he is a trailblazer through his innovative research methods and by building strong institutions with a real societal impact.
Claes de Vreese said in a press release about the prize:
- It is both overwhelming and a great honour to receive the Stevin Prize. I see it first and foremost as a recognition of interdisciplinary research in communication, technology and democracy. Sharing one’s knowledge is both crucial and inspiring – and it would not be possible without our fantastic teams, colleagues and, not least, talented and ambitious young researchers.
This is the second time within a year that Claes de Vreese has received a major academic honour.
In September 2025, he received the Carlsberg Foundation Research Prize, which is awarded to researchers in Denmark or abroad who have produced groundbreaking research in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.
Read more about Claes de Vreese's NWO Stevin Prize 2026 on the NWO website
Meet the researcher
Claes de Vreese heads the Digital Democracy Centre at SDU. He researches political communication, algorithms, artificial intelligence and democracy and is one of the world’s leading researchers in the field.