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Image credit: Dimitris Vetsikas

IVSA Awards

Introduction

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.
Awards Guide

General Awards Information

NOMINATIONS Deadline:  NOVEMBER 10, 2026

Each of the IVSA awards has a cash prize. Winners will also have the oppotunity to have their work featured here on the IVSA website. All winners receive a fee waiver to allow them to attend that year’s conference to receive their award in person.

Please check each award for its nomination eligibility and have everything you need ready before applying.

Recent Winners

From the last awards season

Rieger Awards Program

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.
Rieger Award

Prosser Awards Program

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.
Prosser Award

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)

ACAR-VA Award
ACAR-PAVR Award