AWARDS
The ISSRNC creates further opportunities for religion, nature and culture scholars with three peer-reviewed awards: a Lifetime Achievement Award, the Best Graduate Student Conference Paper Award, and Travel Assistance Awards to support conference attendance.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the study of religion, nature and culture. The award goes to those whose work has a relevance and eloquence that speaks, not just to scholars, but more broadly to the public and to multiple disciplines as well. The contribution can be any medium (e.g., books, films, TV, public speaking), so long as it is based on scholarship about religion, nature and culture. Nominees need not be ISSRNC members.
The award winner will be expected to appear in a plenary session at the meeting, which will feature an interview with the scholar about his/her/their achievements in the study of religion, nature and culture. A call for nominations will be issued in advance of each conference. Nominations should include a curriculum vitae and a letter of nomination of no more than two pages summarizing the nominee’s merit and fit for this award.
Awardees
- The inaugural ISSRNC Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to J. Baird Callicott in January, 2016. (view award profile)
- The second ISSRNC Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Bron Taylor in April, 2017. (view award profile)
- The third ISSRNC Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker in June, 2019. (view award profile)
- The fourth ISSRNC Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Winona LaDuke in February, 2023. (view award profile)
- The fifth ISSRNC Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Catherine Albanese in July, 2025. (view award profile)
Best Student Conference Paper Award
Students are invited to submit their ISSRNC conference paper (or a longer version, not to exceed 5,000 words) to be considered for the Award for the Best Student Conference Paper.
A call for submissions will be issued in advance of each conference. Submissions will require an abstract and full text of the conference presentation, or a longer version not to exceed 5,000 words. Papers will be anonymously reviewed by a committee of ISSRNC board members. The winner will receive $500 and be honored at the conference.
Awardees
- 2017 – Lily Zeng
- 2019 – Alexandre Grandjean
- 2023 – Mai Lootah
- 2025 – Andi Alfian
Travel Assistance Awards
ISSRNC Travel Awards will provide travel grants, on a competitive basis to members who demonstrate financial need, outstanding scholarship and a desire to participate in the conference. Students and international scholars are especially encouraged to apply.
