The Kellogg Institute congratulates former PhD Fellow Benjamín García Holgado, who has been honored with the 2025 Edward S. Corwin Award by the American Political Science Association (APSA). The award honors the best doctoral dissertation in the field of public law across all disciplines of political science.
Garcia Holgado was recognized for his dissertation, "The Judicial Bulwark: Courts and the Populist Erosion of Democracy," completed at the University of Notre Dame. His research explores the role of judicial institutions in safeguarding democratic governance against the pressures of populist governments, offering critical insights into one of the most pressing challenges facing democracies worldwide.
In announcing the award, the APSA selection committee praised Garcia Holgado’s dissertation for its rigor, originality, and significance, noting that it advances both scholarly understanding and real-world debates about the resilience of democratic institutions.
During his time at Notre Dame, Garcia Holgado was an active member of the Kellogg community, where he received Kellogg's 2023 Outstanding Doctoral Student Contributions Award for contributing to the Institute’s vibrant intellectual life.
“We are delighted to see Benjamin’s work recognized with this distinguished award,” said Guadalupe Ramírez, Senior Program Manager of Visiting Fellowships and Graduate Student Affairs at the Kellogg Institute. “His scholarship exemplifies the mission of the Kellogg Institute to advance research that deepens our understanding of democracy and its challenges.”
The Edward S. Corwin Award is one of APSA’s most prestigious honors, highlighting pathbreaking contributions to the study of public law and constitutional issues. Garcia Holgado joins a distinguished list of scholars whose work has shaped the discipline and advanced our understanding of democratic institutions.
Garcia Holgado is currently as assistant professor at the University of Delaware, where he continues to advance scholarship on democracy and the rule of law.