The judging panel, comprised of distinguished scholars, has chosen the following publications to be included in this year’s shortlist for the prize:
- Andrea Pinotti, At the Threshold of the Image: From Narcissus to Virtual Reality (Zone Books)
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Dan Turello, Connection: How Technology Can Make Us Better Humans (Columbia University Press)
- Gareth S. Owen, Psychiatry and Human Nature (Cambridge University Press)
Commenting on the excellence of the shortlist, the Chair of the Judging Panel Professor Constantine Sandis (Director of Lex Academic and Research Associate at Uehiro Oxford Institute) remarked:
“All three of the shortlisted books are outstanding works of original philosophy that transcends disciplinary boundaries in ways that promote the understanding of human behaviour. Many congratulations to the authors!’
The winning title will be announced in a ceremony on 4th November 2026.
The 2026 Judging Panel
Chair: Prof. Constantine Sandis (Lex Academic & Uehiro Oxford Institute) Prof. Barry Smith (Institute of Philosophy, London) Dr Christina Easton (Birmingham) Prof. Carey Jewitt (UCL) Prof. Edward Harcourt (Oxford, TRIP) Prof. Francesca Cacucci (UCL) Prof. Lambros Malafouris (Oxford)
About the Prize
The Nayef Al-Rodhan International Prize in Transdisciplinary Philosophy brings together books that transcend academic boundaries, furthering our understanding of the key challenges facing the world today, and which may face us in the future. In particular, we welcome submissions falling under the following categories:
- Philosophy of the Future of Humanity
- Philosophy of Frontier Risks and Disruptive Technologies
- Philosophy of Global Governance and Transcultural Understanding
- Philosophy of Human Nature and Scientific Innovation
- Philosophy of Transdisciplinary Methodologies
The transdisciplinary panel of highly respected academics and practitioners assessed submissions for academic merit and their ability to demonstrate rigorous, original and high-quality transdisciplinary research in accessible and engaging formats. Last year’s prize was awarded to Professor Jonathan Birch for his book The Edge of Sentience: Risk and Precaution in Humans, Other Animals, and AI (Oxford University Press)
- Get more information on the Nayef Al-Rodhan International Prize in Transdisciplinary Philosophy
- Read Prof. Al-Rodhan’s Manifesto for Transdisciplinary Philosophy
About The Royal Institute of Philosophy
The Royal Institute of Philosophy was formally established in 1925 and brought together an eclectic group of women and men from the law, philosophy, business, and politics to join academics from a range of disciplines including biology, mathematics, classics, and literature.
Receiving its Royal Charter in 1947, the Royal Institute has continued to deliver philosophy to those interested in and perplexed by the problems of modern life and to offer nationwide opportunities for the leading exponents of the various branches of Philosophy to share their thinking with members of the public.
To arrange editorials and interviews with those involved in the book prize, please contact: NARbookprize@royalinstitutephilosophy.org
About Professor Nayef Al-Rodhan
Professor Nayef Al-Rodhan FRSA is a philosopher, neuroscientist, and geostrategist who has written 25 books and more than 300 articles. He was educated at the Mayo Clinic, Yale University, and Harvard University. Professor Al-Rodhan is an Honorary Fellow of St Antony’s College, University of Oxford and Head of the Geopolitics & Global Futures Department at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. His research focuses on transdisciplinarity, neuro-techno-philosophy, and the future of philosophy, with a particular emphasis on the interplay between philosophy, neuroscience, strategic culture, applied history, geopolitics, disruptive technologies, and international relations, and global security. His most recent peer-reviewed academic article titled ‘Symbiotic Realism: a transdisciplinary approach to understanding international relations’
was published in May 2025 by Frontiers in Political Science. A full list of his books and articles may be found at www.sustainablehistory.com.