The Distinguished Contribution to Psychological Science Award recognises distinguished theoretical or empirical contributions to psychology by psychologists at mid or later career stages. The contribution may lead to the understanding or amelioration of an important practical problem.

Administration of the award

Following the close of the call for nominations, the Science, Academia and Research Advisory Group (SARAG) will be responsible for recommending an appropriate recipient to the Board.

Eligibility

(a) Nominees need not be members of the Society.

(b) Candidates should be currently engaged (directly or indirectly) in innovative research in any field of psychology, which represents a major influence on the direction of research in the scientist's area.

Nomination process

(a) A call for nominations for the Distinguished Contribution to Psychological Science Award should:

(i) be advertised in InPsych;

(ii) be provided to the Heads of Department of each tertiary institution that has independent  membership of the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee.

(b) Candidates must be nominated for the Distinguished Contribution to Psychological Science Award by a Member of the Society.

(c) Nominations should be addressed to SARAG and received by the National Office prior to the closing date via registered post.

(d) One complete hard copy nomination should be submitted with an electronic copy on CD Rom. Electronic documents should be submitted in PDF format.

(e) Nominations should be made in writing and should include:

(i) a letter of nomination addressing items referred to in the judging criteria below

(ii) a curriculum vitae giving details of all publications, grants and prizes; and

(iii) up to five (5) selected publications, with a one (1) page cover sheet indicating why they have been selected and how they reflect the nominee's contribution.

Judging criteria

In judging nominees for the award, SARAG will have regard to:

(a) the scientific questions addressed by the candidate;

(b) the important research findings;

(c) the extent to which the findings have generated research;

(d) the significant influence of the candidate's research;

(e) the influence the candidate has had on students in the same field of study including a brief description of the candidate's past and present students;

(f) publications by the candidate; and

(g) other grants and prizes received by the candidate.

Value of award

Successful candidates for the Distinguished Contribution to Psychological Science Award:

(a) will be offered a one year of membership of the Society at no cost provided that the recipient makes an application for membership within twelve (12) months of the date of receipt of notice of their Award. If the recipient is an existing Member of the Society, they will be offered membership of the Society for the following twelve (12) months at no cost. If the recipient is not a current member of the Society, they must accept this offer of membership as a condition of acceptance.

(b) will be invited to attend the Society's Annual Conference in the year following the receipt of their Distinguished Contribution to Psychological Science Award to present a keynote address on the topic of their theoretical or empirical contributions to psychology. If the recipient attends they will have their travel, conference registration expenses and accommodation for up to four (4) nights at the conference venue paid by the Society.

(c) will be invited to submit a versions of their keynote address to the Australian Journal of Psychology.

(d) will also receive a plaque of the Distinguished Contribution to Psychological Science Award, to be presented at the invited address. If the recipient is unable to accept the invitation to attend the Society's Annual Conference, a plaque will be forwarded after the Annual Conference.

Further information

Nominations close 30 June 2011. 

Please send nominations, including one complete hard copy of the application and an electronic copy on CD-ROM (files in PDF format), to:

  • Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award
    Awards Administrator - Science & Education
    The Australian Psychological Society Ltd
    PO Box 38
    Flinders Lane VIC 8009

Additional information can be obtained from:

Previous winners

2010  Scientia Prof Barbara Gillam, University of New South Wales
2009  Prof Ron Rapee, Macquarie University 
2008  Prof Richard Bryant, University of New South Wales 
2007  Prof George Paxinos, University of New South Wales 
2006 Not awarded
2005 Not awarded
2004 Prof Ross H. Day, La Trobe University
2003 Prof Joseph Forgas, University of New South Wales
2002 Prof Max Coltheart
2001 Not awarded
2000 Not awarded
1999 Prof Graeme Halford
1998 Prof Norman Feather
1997 Prof Jacqueline J. Goodnow (inaugural award)

 

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