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Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS)

Susan Strange Best Book Prize

Dr Marthe Achtnich has been awarded the BISA Susan Strange Best Book Prize for her outstanding book Mobility Economies in Europe’s Borderlands: Migrants’ Journeys through Libya and the Mediterranean (Cambridge University Press). 

The Susan Strange Book Prize is awarded annually for an outstanding book published in any field of International Studies. The aim of the Prize is to honour the work of Susan Strange and to recognise outstanding current work being conducted in the discipline.

The judging panel said:

“The book scored extremely highly on the panel’s judging criteria which included its significance, quality of scholarship, presentation, scope, and originality. The panel were extremely impressed with the book’s contribution to our understanding of migrant journeys, and the new conceptual tools it brings to academic knowledge in a range of sub-fields across our discipline. The panel were struck by the scope of the empirical research underpinning your account, and by the methodological sophistication with which you have addressed such a challenging and difficult topic. I am sure the book will have the significant and enduring impact on the field of international studies it clearly merits.” (https://www.bisa.ac.uk/news/bisa-2024-prize-winners-announced)

Susan was, and remains, one of the most influential figures in British International Studies. She held several key academic posts including the Montague Burton Chair in International Relations at LSE. Susan was a founding member of BISA and our first Treasurer. She was also the first female President of the International Studies Association (ISA) in 1995.

The British International Studies Association awards prizes to recognise excellence and achievement through research and teaching in the field of International Studies. 

More information about the awards can be found here: https://www.bisa.ac.uk/news/bisa-2024-prize-winners-announced

Dr Achtnich's book can be found here: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/mobility-economies-in-europes-borde...