Nominations will be made through a ‘call for nominations’ announced by the AASW in August 2025.

An expression of interest portfolio should be submitted, and include:

1. Two letters of support
2. A curriculum vitae
3. A statement of claims of no more than 1000 words that addresses the following criteria:

• • Impact – demonstrated application of the research to social work education, policy or practice and evidence of dissemination and uptake of the research.
  • Significance – demonstrated contribution of rigorous research to advancing knowledge in social work education, policy or practice.
  • Leadership – demonstrated record of collaborative, interdisciplinary or community-engaged research as well as the provision of mentoring/capacity-building in social work research.
  • Overall contribution and recognition – demonstrated sustained contribution over several years and future potential and any history of awards, honours or invitations, editorial roles etc.

Each award will be assessed by an Award Committee.

Nominations must be submitted through the AASW’s designated submission process.

The Award Committee will consider all nominations based on the criteria. 

The submission of the portfolio will contribute 100% of the overall score for consideration of this Award. 

The Award Committee reserves the right to reject nominations that either:

• Do not meet one of the three criteria or;
• Exceed the specified word limit or;
• Are not received by the submission deadline.

The AASW will keep confidential its discussions and deliberations on nominees and will not provide feedback regarding its decisions.

Who can nominate a nominee?

Self-nomination and third-party nominations will be considered. We recommend engaging the nominee directly in the process for third-party nominations. Please ensure you advise the nominee that they have been nominated for an award.