Renowned economist Jean Drèze has been awarded the Global Inequality Research Award during the World Inequality Conference, which was held in the first week of June in Paris.

The accolade acknowledges his remarkable efforts in poverty and inequality research in India, alongside his advocacy for crucial acts like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Drèze emphasized the collaborative nature of his work, stating, “This recognition is not something I achieved on my own. All the work I do is in collaboration with people and collectives working for change.” He highlighted India’s complex inequality landscape, noting the intersections of economic disparity, caste systems, and gender inequality, while also acknowledging the rich tradition of resistance in the country.

The award recognises researchers from diverse fields contributing to the understanding of global inequalities. It was jointly established by the World Inequality Lab (WIL) and Sciences Po’s Center for Research on Social Inequalities (CRIS). This marks the second biannual presentation of the GiRA, following its inaugural award in 2024 to Bina Argawal and James K. Boyce for their impactful work on social and environmental inequalities.

Jean Drèze was born in Belgium, and moved to India in the late 1970s. He is now a dual-citizen of both countries. He has taught at LSE in London, and the Delhi School of Economics. He is a widely renowned economist and has published works together with Nobel laureates Angus Deaton and Amartya Sen, as well as Nicholas Stern. Apart from his academic work, he has campaigned for improved social rights in India and played a key role in the design of Indian government policies, helping to develop a social protection framework in the country.