University of Pittsburgh School of Law Professor Michael Madison has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award in the Senior Scholar category. The Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award annually recognizes outstanding scholarly accomplishments of members of the University of Pittsburgh's faculty.
The selection committee was particularly impressed by Professor Madison’s pioneering work in establishing a framework for Governing Knowledge Commons, which has had a profound global impact. His peers described him as “a preeminent scholar of knowledge commons,” an “interdisciplinary community builder,” and a “visionary thinker” whose scholarship has been highly influential in the field of intellectual property law.
The award includes a $2,000 cash prize and a $3,000 grant to support his continued research. Professor Madison will be honored at the Faculty Honors Convocation on Thursday, April 3, at 3 p.m. in Alumni Hall.