SPSSI Awards for Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) confers one or two annual awards for outstanding teaching and mentoring in areas related to the psychological study of social issues. This award recognizes teaching excellence in a variety of contexts.  In years when two awards are given this will normally recognize one early career winner (within ten years of the Ph.D.) and the other a later career winner.

Eligibility:

Nominees should be SPSSI members who have made substantial contributions to students in the psychological study of social issues. To be eligible, an individual must have been teaching and/or mentoring students for at least 5 years full time since the doctoral degree. Nominees may teach at graduate degree granting institutions, Bachelor’s degree universities and colleges, or two-year and community colleges.

Nominations/Applications: 

The materials should include the following:

1) Nominee’s statement (1-3 pages) of teaching/mentoring philosophy, goals, and accomplishments, especially as related to the psychological study of social issues.

2) Curriculum vitae.

3) Summarized student evaluation data (3 page maximum).

4) 3 letters of support; at least one coming from a current or former student

5) Relevant documentation of teaching excellence pertaining to the instruction of social issues (limited to 7 pages). Nominees do not need to demonstrate excellence in all areas. Examples include evidence of:

a. Outstanding classroom teaching

b. Teaching in the community (e.g., presentations or workshops that bring the psychological study of social issues to nonacademic audiences)

d. Teaching-related committee work or scholarship and/or

e. Exceptional course syllabi for highlighting instruction on social issues,

6) Relevant documentation of mentoring excellence (limited to 7 pages). Nominees do not need to demonstrate excellence in all areas. Examples include evidence of:

a. One-on-one mentoring of graduate students (including research mentorship, advising and clinical    supervision)

b. One-on-one mentoring of undergraduate students (including research mentorship and advising)

c. Evidence of supporting student involvement in social justice, policy and change

d. Current and past student achievements

Self-nominations are encouraged. Deadline: February 15 annually  

Recipients receive $1000 and a plaque and will be recognized in the Teaching and Learning column in the SPSSI Forward newsletter. Honorable Mention awardees will receive one year of free SPSSI membership. In order to build an online teaching resource center, submitted materials may be included on the SPSSI website for public use. Please note that all applications will be considered in the review process for two award cycles following submission.  Recipients of the award might be invited to present during a SPSSI conference session sponsored by the Teaching and Mentoring Committee.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online now! Online submissions are the preferred method.  Please limit the number and size of files uploaded when applying online. 

For general inquiries, please send an email to the SPSSI office.

Click here to view previous Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring Award Winners!