The prize was awarded for his paper University as a Melting Pot: Long-Term Effects of Internationalisation. His work reveals compelling long-term benefits from blending international and local student bodies. This is the second award he has received for this publication.

Avdeev used quasi‑experimental methods, combining administrative and survey data, to show that increased internationalisation at universities improves social cohesion without harming the academic performance and labour-market outcomes of domestic students.

Supervised by Hessel Oosterbeek (University of Amsterdam) and Bas van der Klaauw (VU University Amsterdam), Avdeev’s work underscores the power of diverse academic environments and offers actionable insights for university policy.