Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, an internationally celebrated literary theorist and postcolonial scholar, has been awarded the 2025 Holberg Prize, one of the most prestigious recognitions in academia. Often referred to as the Nobel Prize for the humanities, the Holberg Prize is awarded annually to scholars in the fields of humanities, social sciences, law, or theology. The award, established by the Norwegian government and administered by the University of Bergen, carries a cash prize of $540,000. Spivak will officially receive the honor on June 5 at a ceremony in Norway.

A Life Shaped by Scholarship and Activism

Born on February 24, 1943, in Kolkata, India, Spivak’s academic journey began at the University of Calcutta before she pursued a PhD at Cornell University. Over the years, she has maintained strong ties with Bengal, collaborating closely with renowned writers and scholars, including Mahasweta Devi.

Spivak’s work is deeply rooted in a critique of structures of power and knowledge in an unequal world. She has played a pivotal role in shaping postcolonial studies and feminist theory, most notably with her seminal essay Can the Subaltern Speak? (1988), which examines the silencing of marginalized voices, particularly women, in colonial and postcolonial contexts.

A significant aspect of Spivak’s work is her approach to translation, which she considers both a philosophical and political act. By translating French philosopher Jacques Derrida’s Of Grammatology, she introduced the concept of deconstruction to the English-speaking world. Deconstruction, as defined by Britannica, is “a form of philosophical and literary analysis that questions fundamental conceptual distinctions or ‘oppositions’ in Western philosophy through a close examination of the language and logic of texts.”

Spivak’s translations of Mahasweta Devi’s works have also been instrumental in bringing indigenous and feminist narratives from Bengal to a global audience. Through her translation efforts, she has worked to democratize knowledge and bridge cultural divides.

Influential Works and Global Recognition

Spivak has authored nine books, including the widely influential A Critique of Postcolonial Reason: Towards a History of the Vanishing Present (1999). Her scholarly contributions extend beyond postcolonialism to encompass feminism, Marxism, and global literary studies. Her works have been translated into more than 20 languages.

Her contributions have been recognized not only in academia but also in grassroots activism. She is both a scholar and an activist. The Holberg Prize citation highlights her efforts to combat illiteracy in marginalized rural communities across several countries.

A Legacy That Redefines Global Thought

Spivak has served as a University Professor in the Humanities at Columbia University since 2007 and is a founding member of the Institute for Comparative Literature and Society. She has also introduced the concept of ‘planetarity,’ a response to capitalist-driven notions of globalization, advocating for a more inclusive and ethical global perspective.

The Holberg Prize citation aptly summarizes her influence: “Spivak’s work challenges readers, students, and researchers to ‘train the imagination’ through a sustained study of literature and culture. Taking the core of Western thought as an object of critical analysis, she has inspired, enabled, and supported otherwise inconceivable lines of critical interrogations—both at the centers and margins of global modernity.”

As Spivak prepares to receive this distinguished honor, her work continues to inspire generations of scholars, activists, and thinkers worldwide. Her relentless pursuit of knowledge and justice has cemented her position as one of the most formidable intellectuals of our time.