IVSA Awards
The IVSA is pleased to administer the Rieger Award Program for outstanding work by graduate students in visual sociology, the Prosser Award Program for outstanding work by beginning scholars in visual methodologies, and the Anticolonialism & Antiracism (ACAR) Award Program for outstanding work by researchers and activists who use visual methodologies or advance visual activism through their work. For a fast overview of award eligibility we have produced a one page PDF guide.
Rieger Award
The Jon Rieger Awards Program was created in 2012 to recognize outstanding graduate student work in visual sociology. Because outstanding visual sociological work can emerge through different disciplines and degree programs, Rieger Award nominations are encouraged not only from sociology, but also for graduate students in anthropology, design, art, education, communication, ethnic or gender studies, and related fields.
Prosser Award
The Prosser Awards Program was established in 2015 to recognize outstanding work by beginning scholars in visual methodologies. Because outstanding work in visual methodologies can emerge in a variety of disciplines and practices, Prosser Award nominations are encouraged not only from the social sciences, but also from the humanities, arts, education and other professions.
THE IVSA ANTICOLONIALISM & ANTIRACISM (ACAR) AWARDS PROGRAM
The IVSA Anticolonialism & Antiracism (ACAR) Awards Program was established in 2021 to recognize outstanding anticolonial and antiracist work by researchers and activists who use visual methodologies or advance visual activism through their work.
Work nominated for an ACAR award needs to be visually significant, embody ethical principles, and reflect anti-exploitative practices. Nominated work can include accounts and documents of activism by others, but must also document the critical engagement of nominees themselves and a commitment to ACAR that goes beyond work duties and personal advancement. There are two awards in this program, the Award for Progressive Advocacy and Visual (ACAR-PARV) and the Award for Visual Activism (ACAR-VA)
“I have found myself this past year more and more moved by what some of our award winners and other nominees have been doing. Somehow, against the backdrop of so much suffering, violence, fear mongering, toxic political shock, and straight up brutality, the awards winners and nominees seem like a better example than almost anything else of what it can mean to do engaged, creative and constructive intellectual and artistic work.”
– Professor Jon Wagner, UC Davis (IVSA Awards Program Coordinator; IVSA President 1999-2003)
