James W. Jackson Award for
Excellence in Library Research in the Social Sciences

Purpose and Eligibility

The purpose of the award is to recognize and encourage excellence in the use of library research skills in the social sciences (Economics & Management, Education, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, History, School of Leadership Studies, Journalism, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies).

Upper division students are eligible, based on a research project completed during the spring semester of the academic year or during the calendar year. Papers previously submitted are ineligible.

The winning paper should demonstrate a depth and breadth of effective use of research materials in the social sciences and clear evidence of thoughtful command of these resources. Excellent research projects which do not make significant use of library research materials (e.g., experimental projects) cannot, regrettably, be considered. Undergraduate honors theses are not eligible for the Jackson Award.

Procedure

Nominations must be made by a faculty member. Each faculty member may nominate one or two students by submitting their research paper(s). The deadline for submission will be announced during the Spring semester.

Please submit all papers via e-mail to JacksonAward@richmond.edu. No written recommendation required; just attach the paper in PDF or Word format. Make sure to include the student’s name.

2020 Deadline (*Revised*): May 1, 2020 at 12pm EDT

Members of the Faculty Senate University Libraries Faculty Committee will serve on the Jackson Award Committee. Together with the Government Information Librarian and the Social Sciences Librarian, they will read the entries and determine a winner. For more information, email JacksonAward@richmond.edu or University Librarian Kevin Butterfield at kbutterf@richmond.edu.

Award 

The award consists of a check for $1000 and the winner's name will be inscribed on a plaque in Boatwright Memorial Library.

2020 James W. Jackson Award Winner - Ellie Owen

Past Jackson Recipients