Lea Ypi: From Albanian Memoir to European Voice on Migration and Political Theory

A Leading Voice in Political Philosophy

Lea Ypi, a Fellow of the British Academy, serves as Professor of Political Theory at the London School of Economics and Political Science, while also holding positions as Honorary Professor at the Australian National University and Permanent Fellow of the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin.

Recent Contributions to European Discourse

The political scientist and philosopher recently delivered this year’s Speech to Europe, a prestigious event held on the evening of 15 May at Vienna’s Judenplatz. In her address, Ypi presented a compelling argument that migration is not the root cause of Europe’s social and political crises, but rather a symptom of deeper issues in democracy, social justice, and international solidarity, exacerbated by capitalist exploitation and exclusionary citizenship practices.

New Literary Work and Academic Recognition

Her memoir ‘Free: Coming of Age at the End of History’ has achieved remarkable success, winning the 2022 Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize and the Slightly Foxed First Biography Prize, with translations now available in more than thirty-five languages. Her newest work, ‘Indignity,’ is scheduled for publication in the UK on 4th September 2025.

Academic Impact and Recognition

Ypi’s academic excellence has been recognized with the British Academy Prize for Excellence in Political Science and the Leverhulme Prize for Outstanding Research Achievement. She maintains an active presence in public discourse through her role as co-editor of a political philosophy journal and contributes regularly to The Guardian and Financial Times.

Personal Background and Influence

Born in Tirana, Albania, Ypi’s unique perspective was shaped by her experience of both communist and post-communist Albania, a transition that became central to her acclaimed book ‘Free: Coming of Age at the End of History’ (2021). Her research spans across normative political theory, Enlightenment political thought, Marxism and critical theory, with a particular focus on the intellectual history of the Balkans.