Cox-Johnson-Frazier Award

Selection Criteria and Eligibility

The Cox-Johnson-Frazier Award is given to an individual or individuals for work in the intellectual traditions of Oliver Cox, Charles S. Johnson, and E. Franklin Frazier, three African-American scholars. Cox, Johnson, and Frazier placed their scholarship in service to social justice, with an eye toward advancing the status of disadvantaged populations. Their scholarship was not limited to just the gathering of more data, but was rather scholarship that was attempting to better conditions globally.  Cox, Johnson, and Frazier worked to broaden the thinking of society and to broaden what the mainstream included.

In the spirit of the lifetime efforts of Cox, Johnson, and Frazier, the committee invites nominations of individuals or institutions with a record of outstanding work, such as, but not limited to:

  • Work on social justice issues
  • Work on human rights
  • Activism, community efforts, the building of institutions, or sustaining programs
  • Emphasis on African-American or similarly disadvantaged racial/ethnic populations that have experienced historical racial discrimination

Occasionally, institutional commitment to social justice, to broadening the tradition to including and empowering marginalized scholars and marginalized peoples, is so compelling that this award can recognize a communal institutional effort.

Nomination Procedures

Former students are encouraged to nominate candidates, but current students may not nominate individuals.

Nominations must include a one to two-page cover letter that explains why the individual or institution fits the criteria, a CV, and two letters of recommendation.

In addition to the nomination materials described above, complete and submit the required nomination form.

Nominations can be considered for five years, but they are not automatically renewed. Each year, nominators will be asked if they wish to renew their nominations for consideration. If a renewal is requested, nominators will be invited to submit updated information or additional materials and are required to respond again to the ethics question.

Self-nominations are encouraged. All awardees must be current ASA members at the time of the award ceremony at the Annual Meeting.  One need not be a member to be nominated for an award. All nominators must be current members.  Please also be aware of ASA’s ethics disclosure and award revocation policies.

Submit nominations for the 2024 award to [email protected] by January 1, 2024.

2024 Selection Committee Members

The selection committee is composed of nine members, each serving a staggered three-year term. Members are appointed from among the Association membership by the Council based on the recommendation of the Committee on Committees.

Ellis Monk, Chair
Brittany Battle
Freeden Blume Oeur
Hae Yeon Choo
Jose Itzigsohn
Vrushali Patil
Ranita Ray
David T. Takeuchi
Melissa Wooten

Past Recipients

(Originally a biennial award for work in the tradition of DuBois, Johnson, and Frazier; now annual for work in the tradition of Cox, Johnson, and Frazier.)

2023    David L. Brunsma and David G Embrick

2022    Amanda E. Lewis

2022    Adia Harvey Wingfield

2021    Rogelio Sáenz

2020    Vilna Bashi

2019    Sandra Barnes

2018    Joe R. Feagin

2017    Mary Romero

2016    Thomas Fraser Pettigrew

2015    Howard Winant

2014    Richard O. Hope

2013    Elijah Anderson

2012    James W. Loewen

2011    Eduardo Bonilla-Silva

2010    Delores P. Aldridge

2009    Aldon Morris

2008    Cora B. Marrett

2007    Jorge Bustamante

2006    Rutledge M. Dennis

2005    No Award Presented

2004    Sociology Department at Washington State University

2003    John Moland, Jr.

2002    Walter R. Allen

2001    Troy Duster

2000    Charles U. Smith

1999    No Award Presented

1998    Howard F. Taylor

1997    G. Franklin Edwards

1996    Edgar G. Epps

1994    Charles V. Willie

1992    Andrew Billingsley

1990    William Julius Wilson

1988    Doris Y. Wilkinson

1986    James E. Blackwell

1984    Joyce A. Ladner

1982    Daniel C. Thompson

1980    Joseph S. Himes

1978    Ira DeAugustine Reid

1976    Hylan G. Lewis

1973    St. Clair Drake

1971    Oliver Cromwell Cox