SPSSI Action Teaching Award

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) has established an annual Action Teaching Award for high-impact teaching that contributes to peace, social justice, or sustainable living at the same time as it educates students. Specifically, the award will recognize an innovative and effective example of action teaching that addresses a pressing social issue such as climate change, immigration, human rights, income inequality, domestic violence, animal protection, or intergroup conflict.

Eligibility

Instructors who teach at any level of education are eligible to apply for the award, regardless of whether they are a member of SPSSI, live in the United States, or hold an advanced degree. The entry must be for a classroom activity, student assignment, field experience, or web-based resource—not for a course syllabus or class in general. Finally, to be considered for the award, the teaching item must fully completed (ideally, with an assessment of its impact).

Evaluation Criteria

Entries will be judged on originality, teaching effectiveness, and demonstrated impact with respect to one or more social issues. Applicants are strongly encouraged to include qualitative and/or quantitative evidence that the action teaching item was educational and meaningfully contributed to peace, social justice, and/or sustainable living. Please visit ActionTeaching.org to see the format and content of previously successful award entries. 

Award

The winner will receive an award certificate and $1,000 cash prize. A smaller award may also be given for entries receiving honorable mention.

The application should include:

• The SPSSI Action Teaching Award Submission Form
• A description of the learning objectives of your entry (500 character limit)
• An abstract of the full award entry (75-150 words)
• A description of the entry, including: (a) details on what was done, what students learned, and how the entry directly contributed to peace, social justice, or sustainable living; (b) evidence of educational effectiveness and social impact; (c) tips on implementation for other instructors, including any pitfalls to avoid; (d) any suggested variations or improvements on what was done; and (e) a reference section if any outside sources are cited.
• Optional: Applicants are welcome to upload supplemental content such as photographs, screenshots, or teaching materials related to the entry.

Note: Please limit the description to 6 double-spaced typed pages using 12-point font and 1-inch margins.

Deadline for Submission: March 15^th, annually.

HOW TO APPLY:

Apply online now!  Online submissions are the preferred method.  Applicants are limited to submitting five supporting files through the online portal.

Decision

The SPSSI Action Teaching Committee will let you know of its award decision by April 15. 

Past winners are here.