Sharon Dunwoody Excellent Mentorship Award
Background and Purpose
In memory of Dr. Sharon Dunwoody, this award recognizes outstanding mentors who serve as exemplary role models and resources to others in in the field of Science Communication. Dr. Sharon Dunwoody was not only a pioneer and an exceptional researcher in the field of Science Communication, but also a dedicated mentor who nurtured the next generation of science communication researchers, scholars, and professionals. She selflessly devoted her knowledge, time, and energy to provide intellectual, social, and moral guidance and support to graduate students, colleagues, and peers throughout her career. To continue Sharon’s legacy, the ComSHER Division acknowledges and honors faculty members who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to mentorship in the field of Science Communication.
Award Eligibility
To be eligible for this award, the candidate must have contributed significantly over a period of several years to mentoring and fostering graduate students and early career researchers (postdoctoral fellows and early career faculty members) in Science Communication. To ensure an equal footing when judging the candidates for the award, nominees will be considered in either one of the two award categories based on the years of service in academia and types of institution (e.g., size, funding opportunities, research requirements). In any year, a maximum of two awards will be awarded (one in each category).
Category I
Nominees who possess either one of the following characteristics will be considered in Category I:
- Fewer than 10 years of service as a faculty member;
- Employed at an institution with teaching as a higher priority, or institutions that are not classified as Research 1 universities (https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/carnegie-classification/classificationmethodology/ basic-classification/).
Category II
Nominees who possess either one of the following characteristics will be considered in Category II:
- 10 years or more of service as a faculty member;
- Employed at a research-intensive institution, or institutions classified as Research 1 universities.
Nomination Procedure
To be considered for the Award, a candidate should be nominated by one former student, current/former colleague, and/or peer. The nominator and the nominee do not need to have a formal mentor-mentee relationship. Self-nominations are welcomed.
Nomination Package
The nominator (including self-nominator) is responsible for submitting the full nomination package to ComSHER Vice Head Elect via email. An incomplete nomination package will not be considered. The nomination package must include the following:
● A letter of (self-) nomination. The letter should provide a narrative that describes the types and length of mentor-mentee relationship; explain what the nominee has done to guide, support, and promote the training and development of their mentees; what distinguishes the nominee from other outstanding mentors; and what is unique about the nominee’s mentorship approach/philosophy. The letter should be no longer than two pages.
● A minimum of one and a maximum of two letters of recommendation from mentees. Letters must be dated and signed (two-page limit per letter). The letter should explain the impact that the nominee has had on the mentee’s academic and/or professional development.
Timeline
May: Nominations open from early May until the end of May.
June: Vice Head-Elect invites Award Panel members and sends the nomination packages to award panel members to review.
July: Award Panel makes the award decision.
Recognition
An award certificate will be presented to the awardee(s) at the ComSHER business meeting at the AEJMC annual conference. The award winner will be publicly announced on the ComSHER website and via the other ComSHER communication channels (e.g., social media). The awardees may be invited to share their experience with ComSHER conference new attendees about how to navigate and make the most out of the conference experience through viable means (e.g., email, social media, newsletter, or conference site).
If you have any questions regarding this award, please do not hesitate to contact the Vice Head Elect.
2025 Awardees
Category II Dunwoody Excellent Mentor Award Winner
2024 Awardees
Category I Dunwoody Excellent Mentor Award Winner
Category II Dunwoody Excellent Mentor Award Winner