Society for Disability Studies

The Society for Disability Studies (SDS) is pleased to announce the 2008 Irving K. Zola Award for Emerging Scholars in Disability Studies. Funded through the generosity of the late Professor Zola's colleagues at Brandeis University, this annual award recognizes excellence in research and writing and that shares the values and commitment to disability studies exemplified by Irving K. Zola's life and scholarship.

Eligibility:

1. This competition is open to emerging scholars in the field of disability studies.
2. The research submitted must be relevant to disability studies, which we define broadly to include the examinations of concepts and values related to disability in all forms of cultural representation throughout history, as well as analyses which deepen our understanding of the personal and social dimensions of the lived experience of disability.

Award: The winner will receive:

1. A financial award of $350;
2. Conference registration for the SDS 2008 conference;
3. An opportunity to present his or her work at the 2008 conference;
4. Publication in Disability Studies Quarterly ;
5. Public presentation at Brandeis University; and
6. A certificate.

Deadlines:

All manuscripts must be submitted by March 14, 2008. The recipient of the award will be announced on or around April 25th, 2008.

Evaluation Process:

All submissions will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary panel of distinguished scholars in disability studies. All submissions will be reviewed anonymously and all reviews will be confidential. Manuscript will be evaluated for importance and timeliness of the research; significance of contribution to the knowledge base in disability studies; description of research methodology and design, if appropriate; and overall quality of writing and clarity of style. Manuscripts and reviews will not be returned to authors.

Submission:

To be considered for the competition, all manuscripts must adhere to the following criteria:

1. Overall length must not exceed 30 pages (double spaced, 12 point font)
2. Must be in English;
3. Must be available in alternative formats (e.g., large print, Braille, audiotape) upon request of the Awards Committee;
4. Must have content reflecting on a topic relevant to disability studies;
5. Must be written by a single author who is also primarily responsible for the research described in the manuscript.
6. Must not have been previously published.

Please send manuscripts as an attachment in Word to Ashleigh Thompson with “Irving K. Zola Award” in the subject line. Please note that a completed Application Form must accompany the manuscript, as a separate attachment. The application form is attached below. Please click on the file below and save it to your computer. Otherwise, you can obtain one by contacting Ashleigh Thompson at the email address noted above or by writing to the address noted below. If e-mail is not available, send one copy of the application form and five copies of the manuscript to the following address:

Ashleigh Thompson
Attn: Irving Zola Award
The City University of New York
101 West 31st St., 14th Floor
New York, NY 10001