PSU’s Faculty Award for Public Impact Research recognizes outstanding scholars whose work demonstrates significant societal impact beyond academia. This prestigious honor celebrates faculty members who have successfully translated their research into tangible benefits for communities, policy-making, industry, or public discourse. The award underscores Portland State University’s commitment to promoting research that addresses societal challenges and fosters positive change. The person selected for this honor will receive an award and a $1,500 taxable honorarium.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible candidates must be full-time faculty members at Portland State University; they may be tenured, tenure-track, and non-tenure-track faculty.
Nominees must have a minimum of five years of service at PSU and demonstrate a sustained commitment to research that has a measurable public impact.
The nominee’s public impact research must have been conducted within the past five years.
The public impact of the nominee's work may be evident in various forms, including but not limited to:
Influencing public policy or legislation
Developing innovative solutions to societal challenges
Engaging in impactful public outreach and education
Collaborating with community organizations, government agencies, or industry partners
Creating tools, technologies, or interventions that address real-world problems
Translating academic discoveries into commercial applications or public services
Special consideration will be given to faculty who immerse themselves in the communities impacted by their work, engaging in sustained, trust-based relationships to understand real-world implications. Nominees should demonstrate humility and critical reflection, adapting their research based on community feedback and the lived experiences of those they serve. This approach aligns with PSU’s commitment to research that addresses societal challenges while centering community voices and experiences.
Selection Criteria
Nominees for the Faculty Award for Public Impact Research will be evaluated based on the originality, significance, and reach of their research as evidenced through the criteria outlined below. Special consideration will be given to projects that address pressing societal issues, promote equity and inclusion, or have the potenti al for long-term societal benefits. based on the following criteria.
Excellence in Academic Research
Nominees should demonstrate a strong track record of high-quality research that contributes to their field. This may include publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at leading conferences, and recognition by academic peers. The nominee’s research should reflect innovation, rigor, and relevance while addressing important scientific or societal questions and should show an awareness of real-world implications through collaboration with impacted communities.
Clear Evidence of Public Impact or Benefit to Society
The nominee must provide concrete examples of how their research has led to measurable societal benefits. This could include influencing public policy, improving public health, contributing to environmental sustainability, enhancing education, or addressing socioeconomic challenges. The nominee should also demonstrate how they have engaged deeply with the communities impacted by their work, incorporating community feedback to shape their approach. Evidence may also include testimonials from community organizations, government agencies, or industry partners that have directly benefited from the nominee’s work.
Effective Communication of Research Findings to Non-academic Audiences
Nominees should have a demonstrated ability to make complex academic research accessible for the general public. This includes public outreach activities, media appearances, policy briefs, or collaborations with non-academic organizations.
Sustained Commitment to Public Engagement, Knowledge Transfer, and Translational Research
The nominee should exhibit a long-term commitment to engaging with the public and transferring knowledge beyond the academic community. This includes trust-based, reciprocal relationships with communities to ensure research outcomes reflect their needs and realities. The nominee’s work should demonstrate critical reflection, showing how community input has influenced their research process, and trace a clear pathway from research to practical application, such as the development of new technologies, products, or public services.
Who May Submit Nominations
Nominations should be submitted by faculty colleagues, chairs, and/or deans.
Required Nomination Materials
Nomination letter (no more than 2 pages) detailing the nominee’s contributions to public impact research and addressing the selection criteria.
Abbreviated Curriculum Vitae (CV) (no more than 5 pages) of the nominee, highlighting key accomplishments and publications relevant to their public impact work.
Description of research impact (up to 3 pages), outlining the specific ways in which the nominee’s research has led to measurable public impact. This should include examples of partnerships with external stakeholders, community organizations, government entities, or industry collaborators, as well as any media coverage, policy influence, or commercialization efforts.
Supporting materials, such as letters of support from collaborators, community partners, policy-makers, or beneficiaries attesting to the significance of the nominee’s work.
Evidence of public engagement and dissemination, including examples of public outreach activities, presentations, or publications that effectively communicate research findings to non-academic audiences.
Selection Process and Deadlines
Nominations should be initiated via the 2026 Research Awards Nomination Form by October 27, 2025 and must be completed by November 17, 2025 (pdf format is preferred for all nomination materials).
Deans will approve completed nominations before they are submitted for review by an interdisciplinary selection committee.
The award selection committee will evaluate all nominees and provide recommendations to the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies to guide selection.
No more than one awardee will ordinarily be selected to receive the Faculty Award for Public Impact Research. The review committee may forgo naming an awardee in any given year.
The nominee selected for this honor will be notified in January 2026, along with those who contributed to their nomination. The nomination packets of those nominees not selected the first year they are nominated will automatically be included for consideration the following year, with letters of support and other nomination materials carried forward by the RGS Awards Manager. Current CVs and/or updated primary nomination letters may be submitted to update these packets. Nominees not selected in two consecutive years must remain out of review for one selection cycle (one year) before regaining eligibility.
Recognition
The individual selected for this honor will receive an award and public recognition at PSU’s Research Awards Ceremony and Reception, as well as a $1,500 taxable honorarium and opportunities to showcase their work through university channels. The winner may also be invited to deliver a public lecture on their research and its positive impacts, contributing to the university’s mission of publicly engaged scholarship.