The HDGC specialty group awards faculty and students for outstanding work in the field of global environmental change.  Awards are currently given for Research Excellence, Student Research, and Student Initiatives for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Research Excellence Award recognizes a scholar for research contributions that advance fundamental understanding of the human dimensions of global change.

 Past awardees include Drs. Susanne Moser, Karen Seto, and Hallie Eakin. 

HDGC Student Paper AWARD

The Human Dimensions of Global Change (HDGC) specialty group offers an award to recognize exceptional student research. Candidates may be undergraduates, graduate students, or a recent Ph.D. within a year of their dissertation defense. The student must be a member of AAG and HDGC at the time of the Annual Meeting and the first* or sole author of the paper submitted.

Awards are competitive and applications are evaluated by a committee from the HDGC Board. Judging criteria include the soundness and creativity of the research design and methodology; validity of conclusions; writing quality, and contributions to our understanding of the human dimensions of global change. The paper should not exceed 8,000 words including all components: references, footnotes, abstract, illustrations, tables and any other text. Papers exceeding 8,000 words will not be considered for the award. 

The awardee will be notified in late February and will be honored at the HDGC Specialty Group awards ceremony at the 2024 AAG Annual Meeting. The awardee will also receive a prize of $150.

How to Apply

Submissions should be a single document in PDF format that includes the following components:

1. A title page with the applicant's name and primary email address, the paper title, abstract, and 4-6 keywords.

2. The paper (8,000 words max).

3. A curriculum vitae (CV).

Review of applications will begin on February 16, 2024. Applications should be submitted using the following form. Questions can be directed to Kelsea Best (best.309@osu.edu).

*In the case of co-authored papers, applicants should specify in their submission email that their contribution represents a majority of the intellectual and academic work involved, including a leading role in the conceptualization, execution, and analysis of the research. If a co-authored paper is selected, the committee may ask for a letter of attestation signed by the primary advisor or mentor affirming the student's significant role in the research.

Initiatives for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award

The AAG Human Dimensions of Global Change (HDGC) specialty group offers an award to recognize exceptional initiatives related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI).

As researchers working at the interface of biophysical change and socio-economic processes around the globe, members of the HDGC are uniquely situated to address the disproportionate burdens of socio-ecological changes and intersecting injustices faced by diverse communities. We welcome submissions that take positive actions in the face of  these injustices to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Projects may include, but are not limited to, traditional academic research (i.e., writing, fieldwork travel, data collection), and the development or implementation of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice initiatives in classrooms (e.g., teaching, training, syllabus development) and communities (e.g., meaningful community engagement for underserved populations). 

Any active AAG members are eligible to apply for the HGDC JEDI Award. The primary objective is to recognize projects that have advanced or are currently advancing HDGC engagement with JEDI-related research and work. The awardee will be notified in late February and will be honored at the HDGC Specialty Group awards ceremony at the 2024 AAG Annual Meeting. The awardee will also receive a prize of $150.

How to Apply

Applications should be a single document in PDF format that includes the following components:

1. Title page with name of applicant(s), address and phone number, and title of the initiative.

   • Collaborative projects are welcome, but for the purposes of communication and disbursing funds, one person should be identified as the primary applicant.

2. Project description of no more than 1000 words, excluding (optional) references, that explicitly addresses how the project has meaningfully broadened engagement with and support for JEDI-related activities. Traditional academic research projects, teaching efforts, and projects outside of the realm of academia are all encouraged.

3. A curriculum vitae (CV) of the primary applicant.

4. Name and email address for 1 reference.

Applications will be assessed on the basis of the extent to which the initiative demonstrates the value of JEDI-related research and/or advances JEDI in practice.

Review of applications will begin on February 16, 2024. Applications should be submitted using the following form. Questions can be directed to Kelsea Best (best.309@osu.edu).

Lifetime ACHIEVEMENT  AWARD

In the past, the HDGC has honored researchers with a Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognized an advanced career scholar for cumulative contributions in research, teaching, and service that have shaped the field of human-environment geography. Past awardees included Drs. Susan Cutter, Bob Kates, and Neil Adger.