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.
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.
Call for nominations: 2025 HDGC Research Excellence Award
We invite nominations for the 2025 AAG Human Dimensions of Global Change (HDGC) specialty group Research Excellence Award, which recognizes a scholar for research contributions that advance fundamental understanding of the human dimensions of global change.
The HDGC Research Excellence Award may be given at any time throughout a scholar’s career. Typically, awardees have made a noteworthy contribution to human dimensions of global change research. While a scholar’s entire body of work may be considered, this award is focused on recognition of a significant and specific scholarly contribution to the field of human dimensions of global change.
To nominate an individual for the Research Excellence award, please submit a single document with the following:
A detailed nomination letter (no self-nominations) describing the nominee, the significance of the nominee's work, and their qualifications for the award (Note: letters may be submitted by more than one nominator). Letters should not exceed 500 words in length.
A current detailed CV of the nominee.
A digital copy of the publication for which the nomination is being made (if applicable).
Review of nominations will begin on December 13, 2024. Applications should be submitted using the following form. Questions can be directed to Kelsea Best (best.309@osu.edu).
Awardees will be notified in early January and will be invited to address the HDGC community at the HDGC Awards Ceremony during the 2025 AAG Annual Meeting.
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 proposals are evaluated by a committee from the HDGC advisory 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 10,000 words including all components: references, footnotes, abstract, illustrations, tables and any other text. Papers exceeding 10,000 words will not be considered for the award.
A prize of $300 will be awarded for the best paper. The awardee will be notified in early January and will be honored at the HDGC Specialty Group awards ceremony at the 2025 AAG Annual meeting.
Submissions should be a single document in PDF format that includes the following components:
A title page with the applicant’s name and primary email address, the paper title, abstract, and 4-6 keywords
The paper (8,000 words max)
A curriculum vitae (CV)
Review of proposals will begin on December 13, 2024. Applications should be submitted using the following form. Questions can be directed to Kelsea Best (best.309@osu.edu).
Awardees will be notified in early January and announced at the 2025 AAG Annual meeting.
*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.
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. Early career scholars, including students, are encouraged to apply. 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 receive a prize of $300. The awardee will be notified in early January and will be honored at the HDGC Specialty Group awards ceremony at the 2025 AAG Annual meeting.
Applications should be a single document in PDF format that includes the following components:
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.
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.
A curriculum vitae (CV) of the primary applicant
Name and email address for 1 reference
Proposals 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 proposals will begin on December 13, 2024. Applications should be submitted using the following form. Questions can be directed to Kelsea Best (best.309@osu.edu).
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.