Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, a pioneering voice in postcolonial theory, feminism, and literary criticism, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Holberg Prize, one of academia’s highest honors. The award recognizes her profound impact on global intellectual discourse, particularly through her analysis of power, marginalization, and representation.
A University Professor at Columbia University since 2007, Spivak gained international acclaim with her seminal 1988 essay, Can the Subaltern Speak?, which exposed how marginalized voices—especially subaltern women—are erased within dominant intellectual frameworks. Her work continues to shape discussions on colonialism, gender, and resistance.
Spivak’s academic journey began at the University of Calcutta, followed by a PhD from Cornell University. Beyond theory, she has been deeply engaged in grassroots education, running self-funded schools in rural India. Her translations, including Mahasweta Devi’s Draupadi, have brought global attention to the struggles of India’s tribal women.
The Holberg Prize committee praised Spivak’s ability to challenge Western intellectual traditions while encouraging scholars to “train the imagination” through critical engagement with literature and culture. Her writings, spanning nine books and over 20 languages, continue to inspire new generations of thinkers.
The $540,000 prize will be awarded on June 5, 2025, at the University of Bergen, Norway.
