CHICAGO, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Kenneth Pomeranz, a professor of modern China history at the University of Chicago (UChicago) and one of the world's leading scholars of modern China, has been awarded Dan David Prize for his studies of macro history focusing on East Asia.
Pomeranz studies the influences of state, society and economy in late imperial and 20th-century China. He also examines the origins of world economy and the impact of cultural and geographic differences on economic development in Europe and East Asia, according to a news release posted on UChicago's website on Wednesday.
Pomeranz's landmark book The Great Divergence (2000), a comparative history of China and Europe circa 1800, redefined how scholars explain the rise of industrial Europe compared to that of Asia.
"The news was a wonderful surprise," said Pomeranz in the news release. "It is a wonderful honor."
Receiving the Dan David Prize as a macro historian is an important acknowledgement of the value of taking such a broad view of historical period or events, Pomeranz said, noting that the study of macro history is not always recognized as a defined area of research because it spans such vast periods and places.
"This affirmation is meaningful, and I am honored to be recognized in this way," he said.
Pomeranz joined the UChicago faculty as a University professor in 2012.
The Dan David Foundation, headquartered at Tel Aviv University, awards three one-million-dollar prizes for innovative achievements in interdisciplinary research exploring the past, present and future.
