Hakluyt Introduces Global Essay Prize to Celebrate Human Insight

On July 6, 2026, Hakluyt, a strategic advisory firm, launched the Hakluyt Essay Prize in collaboration with the Times Literary Supplement. This new international competition highlights the importance of human insight over artificial intelligence in public and commercial decision-making. The prize aims to reward independent thinking, intellectual enquiry, and clarity of argument. Open to individuals aged 30 and under worldwide, participants are invited to explore questions about the forces influencing decision-making today.

The Hakluyt Essay Prize offers a £5,000 reward, a one-year membership to The London Library, and subscriptions to several prestigious publications. Submissions are due by September 30, with shortlisted candidates attending a prizegiving event in autumn, hosted at The London Library. The judging panel features prominent figures such as Lord William Hague and Professor Joseph Fuller.

Thomas Ellis, Hakluyt's managing partner, emphasized the role of human insight in problem-solving. The prize is part of Hakluyt's commitment to appreciating diverse perspectives and the power of language.