Distinguished Contributions to Teaching Award

Last Updated: September 17, 2024

Selection Criteria and Eligibility

The ASA Distinguished Contributions to Teaching Award honors ASA members’ outstanding contributions to the teaching of undergraduate and/or graduate sociology. The award recognizes contributions that have made a significant impact on the manner in which sociology is taught at a regional, state, national, or international level.

The award typically is given for a series of contributions spanning several years or an entire career, although it may recognize a single project of exceptional impact. The award is not designed to recognize outstanding teaching ability at one’s own institution unless that is part of a career with broader impact. Individuals or groups of individuals are eligible. Programs and departments are not eligible.

Contributions considered may include preparation of teaching- and curriculum-related materials and publications, participation in the scholarship of teaching and learning, development and communication of innovative teaching techniques, leadership in teaching-related workshops or symposia, and/or involvement in innovative program development.

Nomination Procedures

Nominations must include the name of the nominee and a one to two-page statement explaining the basis of the nomination (maximum 2000 words), a CV, and 1-2 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. However, nominations 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 2025 award to [email protected] by January 1, 2025.

2025 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.

Michel Estefan, Chair
Colby R. King
Stephanie Medley-Rath
José A. Muñoz
Brian Powell
Michael Rosino
Kyler James Sherman-Wilkins
Piper Sledge
Colleen Elizabeth Wynn

Past Recipients

2024     Robin G. Isserles

2024     Michele Lee Kozimor

2023    Jeffrey Chin

2022    Melinda Messineo

2022    Karen Sternheimer

2021    Susan Ferguson

2020    Brian Powell

2020    Michael Schwartz

2019    William Frey

2018    Daniel F. Chambliss

2017    Howard Aldrich

2016    Helen A. Moore

2015    Gwen Sharp and Lisa Wade for “Sociological Images Blog”

2014    Kathleen Lowney

2013    Rose Brewer

2013    Jay Howard

2012    Diane Pike

2012    Katherine Rowell

2011    Maxine Atkinson

2010    Keith Roberts

2009    Carla B. Howery

2008    Carol Jenkins

2008    Elizabeth Grauerholz

2007    Edward Kain

2006    Kathleen McKinney

2005    Caroline Hodges Persell

2004    Jeanne Ballantine

2003   Robert M. Hauser

2003   Michael Burawoy

2002    John Macionis

2001    Department of Sociology, Indiana University

2000    George Ritzer

1999    William G. Roy

1998    Sociology Major Program, Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Santa Clara University

1997    Robert R. Alford

1996    Vaneeta D’Andrea

1995    Dean S. Dorn

1994    Reece McGee

1993    Memphis State University Center for Research on Women (Bonnie Thornton Dill, Elizabeth Higginbotham, Lynn Weber)

1992    Theodore C. Wagenaar

1991    No award presented

1990    Southwest Texas State University Sociology Program

1989    James A. Davis

1988    Sharon McPherron

1988    Charles A. Goldsmid

1987    William A. Gamson

1986    Sister Marie Augusta Neal

1985    University of Kentucky Department of Sociology

1984    Joseph Bensman

1983    David Riesman

1982    John C. Pock

1981    Hans O. Mauksch

1980    Everett K. Wilson