Historical bias in Nobel Prize winners?

Historical biases in Nobel Prize awards have been discussed by several experts. Dr. Brian Keating pointed out biases toward previous Nobel laureates who are granted the exclusive right to nominate future winners, creating a cyclical pattern of recognition within a limited group. Keating also noted a historical bias favoring Swedish candidates and a correlation between a nominee's advisor and their chances of winning, particularly in physics 1.

Branko Milanovic criticized the Nobel Prize in economics for its narrow focus on certain methodologies and topics, arguing that the prize often overlooks significant contributions outside the mainstream economic thought. He highlighted the role of 'gatekeepers' in academic circles who often award prizes among a familiar network, which restricts diversity in recognition 2.

These discussions reveal a pattern where the Nobel Prize may sometimes reflect existing academic and cultural biases, affecting who gets recognized and who remains unnoticed within the scientific and academic communities.