USC Annenberg PhD Student Martin Hilbert was selected as one of this year’s USC PhD Achievement Awardees.

Every year, the awards recognize the exceptional achievement of six PhD students at USC. They are selected by an interdisciplinary faculty committee based on their profile as a doctoral candidate. This includes publications, job offers, major awards and other indicators of excellence within the student’s field.

The research conducted by Hilbert focused on “understanding the role of information and knowledge in social, economic and political development,” and more specifically, “on the digitization of information and communication processes in complex social systems.”

Hilbert has written peer-reviewed journal articles in a number of different fields. He also holds a permanent appointment as Economic Affairs Officer of the United Nations, where he started the Information Society Program at the United Nations Regional Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

As a recipient of the USC PhD Achievement Award, Hilbert will also receive $2,500 and will be invited to lead other PhD graduates during the commencement ceremony in May.

Hilbert’s faculty advisor, Manuel Castells, will also receive a $500 USC Graduate School PhD Mentoring Award.