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ABSTRACT: Establish the Award for Early Career Contributions in Research
RESOLVED, That the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association establish an award entitled: "Early Career Contributions in Research" to acknowledge scientific accomplishments by individuals in the early stages of their careers (defined as within five years of receiving the doctoral degree or other terminal degree); and further
RESOLVED, That this award may be awarded annually to individuals who are under contract with an institution of higher education or other institution where research in communication disorders and sciences is being completed; and further
RESOLVED, That individuals receiving this award will be members of ASHA who are in good standing; and further
RESOLVED, That the Committee on Honors develop the criteria, evaluate nominations, and select the recipient (or recipients); and further
RESOLVED, That current members of the Honors Committee, the Executive Board, and Special Interest Division 10 (Issues in Higher Education) Steering Committee are not eligible to be nominated or serve as sponsors or co-sponsors for this award.
RATIONALE: Currently missing from the awards given by ASHA is an award for scientific accomplishments by individuals in the early stage of their careers (defined by this resolution as within five years of receiving a doctoral degree or other terminal degree). An award of this kind is in keeping with ASHA’s efforts to encourage and recognize those who have embarked on scientific careers. This award differs from Fellowship and Honors in that the latter two awards typically recognize longer career contributions and are not suited to individuals who focus on research in the first few years following completion of their education program.
The recommendation is to establish this award, "Early Career Contributions in Research," effective in 2005, that would be given annually to one or more individuals who have made outstanding contributions to research in some aspect of communication sciences and disorders. Documentation of the research contribution would be provided in the nominating materials, along with a curriculum vitae. The Honors Committee would develop the nomination forms for this award.
LC 9-98 established the "Special Contributions in Higher Education" and has a specific purpose for the broader range of instruction, scholarly activity, and service at the university level. The award established by LC 9-98 specifically says "for at least five years," thus precluding the individual early in his/her career to qualify. The "Special Contributions in Higher Education" Award does not involve just research, thus this is lacking within the professions.
By approving this resolution, the Association would have an award that could be given to scientists in the early stage of their careers. Given the current concern about shortages in PhD generation and faculty recruitment pool, this award is particularly timely. It would also provide an opportunity for researchers who enter institutions other than higher education to qualify for an award.
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