International law expert Michael Byers among contenders for $50,000 Donner Prize

TORONTO – International law expert Michael Byers is being recognized for his work in the literary world as one of five finalists vying for the Donner Prize.

The University of British Columbia professor made the short list for his book “International Law and the Arctic.”

The $50,000 award honours public policy writing by Canadians, with contenders for the 2013-14 prize selected from a field of 80 submissions.

Other finalists for the 16th annual prize include: “Out of the Basement: Youth Cultural Production in Practice and in Policy” by Miranda Campbell, an English professor at Dawson College; and “Unjust by Design: Canada’s Administrative Justice System” by Ron Ellis, an administrative law lawyer, teacher, academic and arbitrator.

Rounding out the list of finalists are: “Shut Off: The Canadian Digital Television Transition” by Gregory Taylor, a post-doctoral fellow at Ryerson University; and “The Third Rail: Confronting Our Pension Failures” by Queen’s University chancellor-designate Jim Leech and Globe and Mail senior writer Jacquie McNish.

Each nominated title will receive $7,500, and the winner of the prize will be announced at an awards ceremony in Toronto on April 30.

Journalist Jeffrey Simpson won last year’s Donner Prize for “Chronic Condition,” his book about the Canadian health-care system.