Professor Nomi Stolzenberg, Nathan and Lilly Shapell Chair in Law at USC Gould School of Law, received the James Boyd White Award from the Association for the Study of Law, Culture, and the Humanities. The award recognizes her extensive and wide-ranging contributions to the interdisciplinary study of law and religion, law and literature, legal history, and law and culture.
“I am truly honored to be recognized by the Association of Law, Culture and the Humanities,” Stolzenberg said. “Looking at law through the lens of the humanities sheds light on the most enduring questions and conflicts that animate the law — questions of justice, authority, values and meaning — and helps to understand the aspirations that motivate legal movements and why those aspirations remain unfulfilled.”
Stolzenberg received the award during the Association’s annual conference, held June 17–18 in Chicago. It was presented by Simon Stern, Professor of Law and English at the University of Toronto and president of the Association, and Melissa Ganz, Assistant Professor of Law at Marquette University and chair of the Association’s prize committee.
The James Boyd White Award is among the highest honors presented by the Association, which describes itself as “a global, interdisciplinary academic society dedicated to fostering humanities-oriented legal scholarship and teaching.” According to the Association, the award recognizes “the originality and excellence of individual contributions to the field, and acknowledge(s) our indebtedness to these individuals for their commitment to the interdisciplinary study of law, culture and the humanities.”
“Professor Stolzenberg is a leading and influential scholar whose work has shaped multiple fields,” said Jordan Barry, Vice Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs. “This award is a deeply deserved recognition of her intellectual leadership, originality, and the lasting impact of her contributions to the study of law and the humanities.”
Stolzenberg’s scholarship examines the intersections of law, religion, and culture, with a particular focus on questions of religious freedom, pluralism, and the role of law in mediating cultural and historical conflict. Her work also engages deeply with law and literature, as well as the historical development of legal and religious institutions. A strong proponent of multidisciplinary research and teaching, she helped establish and co-directs the USC Center for Law, History and Culture, which involves scholars and students from throughout USC’s campus.
“I am gratified by the growing interest in law and humanities among our students, who say that this sub-field gives them a greater understanding of how the law affects the real world,” Stolzenberg added. “This award is an affirmation of the value of scholarship that allows us to build a bridge between the world as it is and the world as it should be.”
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