AASA Popular Communication of Animal Studies Prize
The 2026 Australasian Animal Studies Association Popular Communication of Animal Studies Prize is awarded to a member or members of the Association who have worked systematically to promote the insights and research findings of their peers in the field of Animal Studies, therein increasing public awareness of the field and its value to human-animal relations.
This prize was established through a bequest by the late Associate Professor Siobhan O’Sullivan. Siobhan O’Sullivan was an Australian social and political scientist, and founding member of AASA.
Nomination guidelines
- The applicant(s) must be AASA members at the time of their nomination.
- The prize is open to individuals or groups. For group nominations, all members must meet the nomination criteria to apply.
- The applicant(s) can only submit one entry to this prize. Applicants who submit an entry to the 2026 Popular Communication of Animal Studies Prize are not eligible to submit an entry to the Journal Article by and Early Career Researcher Prize in the 2026 round.
- Nominees should complete the nomination form, and submit a work, or portfolio of works, at the time of nomination. Portfolios should comprise no more than 30 pages of material. No material in the portfolio should be older than five years, and material from the last calendar year must be included in the portfolio to be eligible for the Prize.
- The submission material should be provided in English.
- Previous winners of this prize are not eligible to reapply.
Judging process
- The decision will be made by a judging panel of no less than five people, chaired by the AASA Chairperson (or their nominee). The panel will include at least one early career researcher, and at least two scholars who identify as women.
- Members of the judging panel will be required to complete a Conflict-of-Interest declaration.
- The main criterion for the prize is the performance of the nominee in engaging the general community on the topic of animal studies, and foreground and respect the interests, perspectives and rights of nonhuman animals. Consideration will be given to the ongoing nature of this engagement and the size of the audience reached.
- AASA reserves the right not to award this prize.
Award details
The winner will receive AU$500; for group nomination this prize will be shared equally among each nominee.
Due Date
Applications are due by 5pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) on Friday 6th November 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
Submission
To complete the submission process, please use this online form