Honouring a Legacy of Social Justice: The Michael Cichon Graduate Award in Social Protection

The award will recognize outstanding graduate research that advances the cause of social protection and social justice—values that defined Professor Cichon's life and work.

We spoke with Dr. Zina Nimeh, who is leading the award’s launch, to understand the story behind it, its purpose, and what it hopes to inspire. 

Remembering Michael Cichon

“Michael Cichon was a highly respected figure in the field of social protection—driven, principled, and deeply committed to advancing social justice at the global level,” says Zina. “He was also a tireless educator, and one of the driving forces behind the master’s programme in Social Protection Financing (SPF), which UNU-MERIT developed in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Maastricht University.”

The SPF programme launched in 2001 and later evolved into what is now the Master of Science in Public Policy and Human Development (MPP) at UNU-MERIT. The social protection specialization remains a core component. “Michael often said this was one of the most impactful things he did in his life,” Zina reflects.

Michael believed that social protection is a fundamental human right, and spent his career advocating for its global expansion—especially through ILO’s Recommendation 202 on Social Protection Floors. “His vision, work ethic, and dedication are reflected in the hundreds of graduates now working around the world in this field,” Zina adds. “This award is about honouring that legacy and encouraging graduate-level work that pushes social protection forward as a cornerstone of global social justice.”

An Award Rooted in Values

What makes this award unique, Zina says, is that it explicitly recognises the intersection between academic excellence and a deep commitment to social justice—the very qualities that Michael embodied. “His work consistently challenged the status quo. Whether it was pioneering the concept of social protection floors in low-income countries or co-founding the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors, he believed that bold ideas rooted in equity and humanity could change the world.”

The award will spotlight research that contributes to practical, global solutions for today’s most urgent social protection challenges. “We want to honour work that isn’t just rigorous, but transformative—research that takes a stand, proposes new models, or dares to rethink the system.”

What Kind of Research Will Be Recognised?

The award will be open to graduate-level research (e.g., master’s theses) that demonstrates innovative thinking and policy relevance in social protection. Zina outlines several key themes the committee hopes to see:

• Financing and sustainability of social protection systems;
• Inclusion of marginalized or underserved populations;
• The role of digital technologies in improving access to services;
• Scaling up social protection in low-income economies;
• Intersections with health, education, and labour markets;
• Implementation challenges in diverse cultural and institutional contexts.

“We’re looking for work that is theoretically sound but also practically grounded—the kind of research that speaks to policymakers and practitioners alike.”

Why This Award, and Why Now?

“This is an especially important moment to uplift graduate research in social protection,” Zina says. “Globally, social protection systems are under immense strain—facing the effects of aging populations, climate change, migration, and shrinking public financing. At the same time, short-term instruments are often being prioritised over long-term solutions.”

In this context, new thinking is essential—and young researchers have a key role to play. “Graduate students bring fresh ideas, bold perspectives, and a deep sense of purpose. Often, they’re willing to question orthodoxies and ask the hard questions. This award is meant to amplify those voices.”

Zina also hopes the award will help bridge the gap between research and policy. “By celebrating student work that speaks to real-world challenges, we’re helping shape the global conversation about where social protection needs to go next.”

Advice for Applicants and Supervisors

What makes a strong nomination?

“We’re looking for research that is not only excellent in its academic execution but also demonstrates a real commitment to improving social protection systems,” Zina says. “Nominees should clearly articulate how their work addresses global challenges—whether it’s inequality, poverty, or the long-term sustainability of welfare systems.”

Originality is also key. “Highlight what’s new—whether it’s the methodology, the perspective, or the policy recommendations. We’re particularly interested in work that challenges traditional thinking and proposes innovative, actionable ideas.”

For supervisors submitting nominations on behalf of students, Zina encourages them to include thoughtful reflections on the significance of the research and its policy relevance. “That added context can help us understand the broader value of the work and how it might influence the field.”

A Personal Reflection

For Zina, helping to launch the award has been deeply personal.

“Michael left us too soon. He was a mentor I still miss—his presence gave me confidence that it’s possible, in our field, to stay principled and still fight the good fight. He showed us that while the road can be difficult, you’ll find allies along the way who share your passion and will support you—and that it’s worth it.”

“Launching this award is a small tribute, but an important one,” she adds. “It’s a way to keep his spirit alive in the next generation of scholars and practitioners. I hope it reminds people of the difference one person can make when they combine integrity, intellect, and heart.” 

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