The prize will be awarded in the Dutch Senate by the Minister of Education, Culture and Science Ingrid van Engelshoven. The title of her thesis is ‘Rankings Practices: Understanding the Impact of World University Rankings on Policies and Practices in Dutch Higher Education’.

Tessa Groen conducted her research under supervision of prof. Cyrus Mody. Through the application of quality indicators rankings agencies set the standard for a different notion of quality and excellence. Rankings have contradictory implications, because quality indicators that are criticised such as reputation and international outlook contribute to good rankings’ performances. To evaluate this tension, Tessa investigated practices of data submission, analysis and communication in Dutch academia. Extending beyond the experiences of policy officers, researchers and students, this research provides insights into the subject of rankings and the wider implications of rankings’ practices and excellence-driven policies in public research universities in the Netherlands.