The intention of the TASA Executive Committee in awarding this prize is to recognise members’ contribution to the discipline of sociology through publication of a distinguished peer-reviewed article by an Early Career Researcher.
The award is open to submissions from any TASA member who has been awarded their PhD within the last five calendar years (i.e. 2018 – 2022). Special consideration may be given to applicants who have experienced a significant ‘career disruption’.
Papers authored by TASA Executive members can be nominated but the author/s cannot be a part of the voting process.
The article submitted by the applicant must be in English, have been accepted by a peer reviewed journal, published either online and/or in print, and have a specific sociological focus.
In the case of multi-authored articles, the nominated author must be the primary author. As part of the application, the percentage of the nominated author's contribution needs to be noted and a clear, brief quality statement, needs to be provided, documenting the nominated author's contribution to the article. Self nominations are accepted.
Papers published online before print will also be accepted for nomination.
The award can only be awarded once to the same applicant.
Symposia or parts of symposia, replies or rejoinders, notes and book reviews (but not review essays) are excluded from consideration.
The article will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Quality (e.g. thoroughness, high skill, eloquence) 20%;
- Contribution to sociological thought (e.g. pushing forward) 20%;
- Originality (e.g. innovative application/generation of theory) 20%;
- Clarity (e.g. well-written, clearly organised, presented) 20%; and
- Impact (e.g. policy 5%, practice 5%, citations 5%, new theory or a new understanding of an existing theory 5%) 20%.