Professor Yoel Fink Awarded American Physical Society Sakharov Prize for Defending Academic Freedom

Photograph by Lillie Paquette

Professor Yoel Fink of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been awarded the prestigious Andrei Sakharov Prize from the American Physical Society.

Presented biennially, the prize honors scientists who demonstrate exceptional courage and leadership in defending human rights and promoting peaceful international cooperation in science. Named after Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov, the award recognizes individuals who uphold the values of academic freedom and scientific integrity.

Fink, a leading expert in photonics and advanced materials, was recognized “for defending the academic freedom and human rights of scientists working in the United States.” The award highlights the importance of protecting open inquiry and the ability of scientists to pursue research freely—principles that remain fundamental to scientific progress and democratic societies.

Congratulations to Professor Fink on this important recognition and for his leadership in supporting academic freedom within the global scientific community.