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Awards
The Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction grants five annual awards related to career achievement and scholarship in the service of symbolic interaction. The society calls for nominations, which are then reviewed by award committees. All awards are presented at the annual meeting.
For the call for award nominations, click here.
George Herbert Mead Award
The George Herbert Mead Award Committee is given annually to recognize a scholar’s career contribution to the field of symbolic interactionism. Decisions are made by a committee selected by the President of the Society.
Charles Horton Cooley Book Award
This award is given annually to an author for a book that represents an important contribution to the perspective of symbolic interaction. To be eligible for the award, a nominated book should have a publication date between the three years preceding publication. Previously nominated works within this three-year publication period remain eligible but must be re-nominated.
Herbert Blumer Award for Best Graduate Student Paper
This award is given annually to a graduate student for a paper that applies or advanced symbolic interaction.
Helena Lopata Mentor Excellence Award
The relationship between a student and a faculty member can have a profound, lifelong influence on both parties. Likewise, established and accomplished teacher-scholars can serve equally influential and encouraging roles for junior colleagues and provide crucial support for early and midcareer transitions. In sum, the mentoring relationship inspires, gives confidence, and culminates in valuable collegial relationships. The effective mentor serves as advisor, teacher, advocate, and role model. The SSSI Helena Lopata Mentor Excellence Award recognizes these important contributions to our society and craft. Nominees must be members of SSSI to be eligible for this award.
We seek nominees who show evidence of:
- a sustained career as a beneficial role model;
- a sustained record of mentoring students and junior colleagues in acquiring the skills and resources necessary for career success;
- promoting successful and timely completion of students’ degree programs;
- supporting attendance and participation at conferences;
- imparting informed advice relating to career opportunities and choices;
- establishing opportunities for networking and professional connections;
- motivating students and junior colleagues about research and teaching activities;
- helping students and junior colleagues develop a range of talents including skills in research, teaching, professional presentations, writing, preparation of grant and fellowship applications, etc.;
- integrating students and junior colleagues into the broader culture of the SSSI.
The Kathy Charmaz Early-In-Career Award
The SSSI Early-In-Career Award Committee recognizes junior scholars’ contributions to the field of symbolic interaction and potential. The award specifically honors those scholars who have made significant contributions within the first ten years since the completion of their PhDs. Nominations are made through support letters sent (by SSSI members) to the chair of the award committee. Support letters should include the following information: the candidate’s most noteworthy research and publications thus far; contributions to symbolic interaction; and the candidate’s CV.
We are honored to name the Early-in-Career award in memory of our dear colleague, Professor Kathy Charmaz (1939-2020), whose scholarship and generous mentorship of young scholars will have a lasting impact on the field of symbolic interaction.