Kevin Elliott, professor in Lyman Briggs College and the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, was recently awarded a Humboldt Research Award from the German government. This prestigious award recognizes researchers with outstanding international reputations as educators and scholars whose work has made a significant impact beyond their immediate fields. 

 

In 2025, Elliott will conduct research at Leibniz University in Hannover, Germany. Reflecting on the award, Professor Elliott remarked, “Given that these awards are designed to recognize internationally leading researchers from across all disciplines, it means a lot to receive this kind of recognition.” The award will enable him to collaborate with researchers worldwide, fostering new international connections in his field. 

The Humboldt Research Award highlights Elliott’s distinguished career, which exemplifies excellence in both teaching and research. His contributions stand out among a competitive pool of candidates, showing his dedication to advancing knowledge at the intersection of science, ethics, and education. A newly-awarded Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS, Elliott is a philosopher of science who focuses on examining the ethical and social aspects of scientific research. His work primarily focuses on how different types of values can shape research, with an emphasis on environmental health. Elliott actively engages in interdisciplinary work by engaging with scientific and policy organizations, including the U.S. National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and the World Health Organization. 

While in Hannover, Elliott plans to further his work on the roles of ethical and social values in scientific inquiry. His work will take two primary directions; first, developing a book project examining how institutions mediate and guide the influence of values in science; second, investigating ways to integrate philosophical scholarship on science and values into science education. “During my time in Germany, I hope to think more deeply about the relationships between institutions and values in science,” said Elliott, emphasizing his commitment to addressing the critical intersections between scientific research and ethical and social values. 

A significant component of his research will involve working with SOCRATES, or Social Credibility and Trustworthiness of Expert Knowledge and Science-Based Information, a research center in Hannover dedicated to understanding public trust in scientific expertise. In addition, he will be able to develop connections with other scholars in Germany. Elliott expressed enthusiasm about this opportunity, stating, “Although I will spend the majority of my time as a fellow at the SOCRATES Center, I also have connections with philosophers in Munich, Wuppertal and Bochum. I look forward to developing further collaborations with these researchers as well.” 

The Humboldt Foundation’s support extends beyond the duration of the award. After his time in Hannover, Elliott will remain connected to a global network of scholars and may receive additional support for future visits to Germany, promoting sustained collaboration. “The Humboldt Foundation also sponsors an annual research symposium and awards event, providing opportunities for award winners to connect and learn about each other’s work. These events may lead to exciting new interdisciplinary collaborations,” Elliott stated. 

Through this award and his upcoming work in Hannover, Elliott is poised to make significant contributions to his field, advancing our understanding of science and ethics. 

This story was originally published on lbc.msu.edu.