Research awards and distinctions

There are different types of awards and different ways to approach the pursuit of awards and distinctions.

Awards for articles or books

• This can be an ideal place to start, especially for early career researchers.
• In most cases, there is little work to do for these nominations – you simply have to send in a copy of a book or article. These are easy opportunities to seize.

Awards for specific research projects

• Certain awards are given for specific projects or achievements. Perhaps you have a research project that is remarkable or innovative? Maybe you shared your knowledge in a new and exciting way? There may be an opportunity to highlight that project through a nomination.

Awards for contributions to the community

• Has your work made an impact on a specific community? There are award opportunities that recognize contributions to law and the legal profession that may allow your work to be highlighted outside of traditional academic circles.

Awards for sustained research excellence

• Some awards are given in recognition of a distinguished career or a sustained contribution. These awards – aimed at mid-to-late career researchers – highlight the sum total of your achievements.

It’s a good idea to plan ahead, especially at an early career stage. Prizes for articles and publications are always a good place to start, and there are several awards aimed specifically at early career researchers.

But if you don’t pursue awards at an early career stage, does that hurt your chances of pursuing opportunities later in your career?

• It is true that there can be a progression in the pursuit of research awards. The presence of early career awards on a CV can generate more opportunities for later career stages.
• But there are lots of opportunities to pursue awards for specific projects, achievements, community impact, etc. that may not require any previous nominations or awards.

What’s your profile?

Think about where you want your career to take you and how a progression of recognitions might help you get there.

Are you interested in:

• A research intensive path?
• A path focused on the legal profession?
• A path focused on giving back to a specific community?

The lists below outline some specific examples of awards you might pursue. Your research goals may urge you to pursue multiple different opportunities.

The Research Office can help with the following aspects:

• We can help you to plan what prizes you might pursue in the short term and how they might lead to future possibilities.
• We can help you build the case for why your work should be recognized.
• We can help in obtaining letters of support for relevant nominations.
• We can help you to update and format your CV.
• We can handle logistics related to submission forms, deadlines, etc.

In some cases, you may be asked to provide us with raw materials (CVs, previous letters, previous research projects) so that we can help to craft some parts of the nomination. In general, you will need to take a hands-on approach in creating elements for the nomination. No one knows your work better than you do!

We also want you to help us identify other awards possibilities. Maybe there are opportunities in your field – tell us which opportunities interest you.

Even if a nomination is not successful, the nomination process can be a useful exercise.

• It encourages you to think about how to explain – how to communicate/transmit – your research.
• It encourages you to think about what aspects of your research have an impact, and how to explain that impact.
• It helps you see how your research is understood and positioned by peers beyond your immediate context.

Contact Andrew Kuntze to discuss an awards strategy that suits you and your research program.

Andrew Kuntze
Research Communications Strategist
Research Office
Faculty of Law
[email protected]