Hana Cervinkova wins CEU teaching award

Central European University has named Hana Cervinkova, a Maynooth University anthropology professor, the 2026 recipient of its European Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Social Sciences and Humanities. The prize recognizes her work on citizenship, democracy, anti-racist curricula and international education, and comes with the €5,000 Diener Prize.

Why it matters: - The award spotlights teaching in the social sciences and humanities at a time when universities are under pressure over open inquiry, inclusion and democratic values. - Cervinkova’s recognition highlights the link between classroom work, curriculum design and wider debates about citizenship, democracy and power. - The prize carries the €5,000 Diener Prize, adding a financial honor to the academic recognition.

What happened: - Central European University gave Dr. Hana Cervinkova the fifteenth annual European Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Social Sciences and Humanities. - CEU presented the award at its academic year Opening Ceremony on Sept. 1 in Vienna. - Eva Fodor, CEU’s Pro-Rector for Teaching and Learning, presented the award. - Cervinkova is a professor of anthropology at Maynooth University in Ireland.

The details: - CEU’s Yehuda Elkana Center for Teaching, Learning, and Higher Education Research administers the award. - The award honors academics in the social sciences and humanities who teach at higher education institutions in the European Higher Education Area. - CEU launched the award in 2011 for its 20th anniversary. - Cervinkova’s academic career has included schooling in former Czechoslovakia, undergraduate and graduate study in the United States, and a Ph.D. from the New School for Social Research. - Her past roles include rector of the University of Lower Silesia in Wroclaw, Poland, and member of the Czech Academy of Sciences. - CEU said Cervinkova’s work bridges strong research and strong teaching. - The selection committee cited her decades-long commitment to excellence in teaching, innovation and transformative impact. - Cervinkova’s scholarship focuses on citizenship, democracy, power and education. - She has also created award-winning models for international education, study abroad, doctoral education and anti-racist curricula. - The Diener Prize is funded by a gift from Steven and Linda Diener in memory of Ilona Diener. - More information on the award and past recipients is available through the Elkana Center.

Between the lines: - The award frames teaching as a public-facing act, not just a classroom function. - CEU’s choice also reinforces its emphasis on transnational humanism and intellectual freedom. - Cervinkova’s work sits at the intersection of pedagogy and politics, which helps explain why the award committee elevated her beyond a standard faculty honor. - Michael Kozakowski, director of CEU’s Yehuda Elkana Center, said her teaching shows the potential of international education, anti-racist curricula and doctoral training.

What's next: - CEU will continue to use the award to recognize educators in the European Higher Education Area. - Cervinkova’s recognition is likely to draw more attention to her teaching models and curriculum work across European higher education. - The award’s next recipient will be selected through the same CEU-administered process.