New MacArthur 'genius' says she defied caste prejudice thanks to parents

UC's Shailaja Paik, PhD, was born into India’s Dalit community — one of the millions who belong to historically marginalized and oppressed castes. They’re so scorned that they were for centuries known as “Untouchables," and even though modern India is changing, caste discrimination isn't going away.

NPR spoke to Paik, who faced prejudice both as a Dalit and a Dalit woman. She credits her parents for helping her and her sisters defy these prejudices by putting an emphasis on education. She now works to tell the stories of Dalit women, to shine a light on the repressive caste system. 

She’s been named one of 22 recipients of the 2024 MacArthur fellowship, one of the most prestigious awards for creative and intellectual achievement — informally known as “the genius grant.”

MacArthur fellows receive $800,000 over five years to spend on their academic pursuits.

"I’ve worked very hard all my life against odds, and while every success I’ve had has been appreciated and celebrated by parents, friends and extended family, I’ve never been called a 'genius' before," she told NPR. "It’s overwhelming, but when I think of how I got here — an often rocky journey — I’m going to embrace it with gratitude."

Read the NPR article.

Read more about Paik on UC News. 

More news featuring Paik and the MacArthur fellowship:

• New York Times
• Forbes
• Inside Higher Ed
• Associated Press

Featured photo at top of Paik courtesy of the MacArthur Foundation.