Dr. Erik de Lange
Dr. Erik de Lange is an Assistant Professor of History of International Relations at Utrecht University and a member of the Security History Network. His research investigates international relations, security, and geopolitics at sea, ranging from 19th-century Mediterranean piracy to the protection and sabotage of early undersea telegraph cables. In recognition of his innovative contributions to maritime history, he has been awarded the KNAW Early Career Award.
We are thrilled to announce that Security History Network member Dr. Erik de Lange has been awarded the prestigious KNAW Early Career Award by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW).
The Early Career Award is presented annually to twelve outstanding young researchers at the beginning of their careers who demonstrate innovative ideas in research, education, or patient care. Each laureate receives a custom work of art and a €15,000 cash prize to support and advance their research career.
Dr. Erik de Lange is an Assistant Professor of Maritime Affairs in International and Imperial History at Utrecht University. His research explores international relations at sea, investigating how and why rules and conflicts emerged in maritime spaces. His previous groundbreaking work demonstrated how the fight against piracy in the Mediterranean Sea historically drove European colonialism in North Africa, a topic he explored in his popular-science book De laatste dagen van Barbarije, which notably reached the shortlist for the Libris History Prize (Libris Geschiedenis Prijs).
In his current research, Dr. de Lange shifts his focus to the security of critical infrastructure around the First World War, examining the sabotage and protection of telegraph cables on the seabed. Through this work, he bridges past and present, highlighting what historical conflicts can teach us about contemporary geopolitical tensions on and under the sea, themes deeply aligned with the core mission of the Security History Network.
The award ceremony will take place on December 1st.
On behalf of the entire Security History Network, we warmly congratulate Erik on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to following his future contributions to security history!
For more information about the awards and the upcoming ceremony, you can read the official announcement on the KNAW website.
