The cultural sociologist Michèle Lamont (60) has been awarded the prestigious Erasmus Prize for 2017. The award, which carries a cash stipend of €150,000, will be presented to Lamont by king Willem-Alexander at the royal palace in Amsterdam in November.

Born in Canada, Lamont is professor of sociology at Harvard University, and is receiving the prize for her contribution to social science research into the relationship between knowledge, power and diversity.

She has devoted her academic career to investigating how cultural conditions shape inequality and social exclusion, and how stigmatised groups find ways to preserve their dignity and self-worth.

The Erasmus Prize is awarded annually by the Praemium Erasmianum foundation to a person or institution who has made an exceptional contribution to the humanities, social sciences or arts.