Awards
The Iowa Sociological Association (ISA) supports and encourages the development of sociological curiosity through providing students with opportunities to engage in research, writing, and presenting at a professional conference. Additionally, ISA recognizes excellent student work through student research awards, listed below.
Submissions will be scored by faculty using a rubric prior to the ISA conference. Poster submissions will be scored at the conference.
Judging Criteria for awards: Succinct identification of issue(s) illustrated in the paper/poster and summarized in the abstract; Review of the relevant professional literature; Methodological rigor (if empirical); Organization; Disciplinary relevance and contribution; Creativity; Visual imagery (if poster); Overall quality.
Mary Alice Ericson (1st/2nd year open topic paper) - Named for Mary Alice Ericson—Coe College faculty, ISA President 1968-1969, and 1978-1979. Iowa State director for the Midwest Sociological Society. Named "Woman of the Year - 1978" by the Cedar Rapids Women's Equality Day Committee and "Golden Role Model" in 2007 by the Cedar Rapids NAACP.
The MSS–ISA Rising Scholar in Sociology Award (1st/2nd/3rd year open topic). The MSS–ISA Emerging
Sociologist Award recognizes an undergraduate student who demonstrates exceptional promise in pursuing a career in sociology. Open to students presenting papers, posters, or other approved projects at the Iowa Sociological Association (ISA) Annual Meeting, the award honors outstanding scholarly engagement, sociological imagination, and potential for future contribution to the discipline. Sponsored by the Midwest Sociological Society (MSS), the award includes a cash prize and a one-year MSS student membership. This award reflects the ongoing partnership between ISA and MSS to support and cultivate the next generation of sociologists across Iowa and the broader
Midwest.
Manford Kuhn (3rd/4th year open topic paper) - Named for Manford Kuhn—University of Iowa faculty (1946-1963). Founder of the "Iowa School" of symbolic interactionism, and President of the ISA 1959-1960.
Stephen Wieting (Integrating Theory and Research paper) - Named for Stephen Wieting, University of Iowa faculty (1971-2008), ISA President 2006-2007, and University of Iowa Sociology Club faculty supervisor.
Ward Reynoldson (Criminal Justice paper) - Named for former Iowa Supreme Court Justice Ward Reynoldson (1971-1987). Graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1948. In private practice in Osceola, Iowa until coming on the Supreme Court.
Keith Crew Research Poster Award (open topic). Named for Keith Crew—University of Northern Iowa faculty (1985-2019), ISA President 1991-1992, and 2002-2003.
Awards Judging Criteria
Submissions will be scored by faculty using a rubric prior to the ISA conference. Poster submissions and the MSS–ISA Rising Scholar in Sociology Award will be scored at the conference.
1. Creativity. The paper addresses a unique or understudied sociological topic, or approaches an existing topic in a novel way.
2. Structure/Organization. Main elements are present: abstract, introduction, background, analysis/methods/results, discussion, and references.
3. Introduction/Background. The research question is clearly stated. The paper discusses and synthesizes previous research relevant to the research question.
4. Theoretical Rigor. The selection of theory and concepts used to guide the research question is appropriate and accurately explained.
5. Methodological Rigor. The method of analysis is appropriate and the execution of research methods sound. (1st/2nd year students: methods may be limited to a critical analysis of the literature and/or approach to a particular research topic).
6. Analysis and Results. The interpretation of the analysis and findings are accurate.
7. Discussion and Conclusions. The discussion highlights the study’s main findings; findings are discussed relative to the existing literature and within the theoretical context; the limitations of the study are noted; the findings are extended to other contexts; next steps are noted.
8. Overall Quality. The paper is well-written, well-organized, and free of grammatical and other errors.
Poster Presentations: The above content is abridged, highlighting main points. Language is clear and concise; Poster has attractive appearance. Presenter is knowledgeable and professional when explaining the project.