A Dutch sociologist has been awarded Spain's Prince of Asturias social sciences prize for her work in the field of globalization and urban sociology.

The jury said that one of Saskia Sassen's greatest scientific contributions was "her concept of the 'global city', now accepted and used worldwide." The concept describes cities that are centers of the world economy.

Sassen, a professor at Columbia University, was born in the Hague in 1949, obtained her PhD from Notre Dame University in 1974, and is co-chair of The Committee on Global Thought and a visiting professor at the London School of Economics.

The 50,000-euro ($64,330) Asturias award is one of eight prizes handed out yearly by a foundation named for Spain's Crown Prince Felipe. Others categories include arts, sport, communications and scientific research.