Anselm Strauss Award

This award, under the auspices of the Qualitative Family Research Network, a focus group of the Research and Theory Section, recognizes outstanding qualitative family research. The award is named for Anselm Strauss, whose life work was to develop and practice qualitative methodologies.

Nominations for this award should be qualitative family journal articles and book chapters published during the 1999 calendar year. The focus must be on qualitative family research, although the work can be data-based and/or methodologic, and/or theoretical in purpose. High-quality submissions of all types of qualitative work are welcome, with no one method having advantage over others.

Guidelines used to assess submissions include: 1) completion of its purpose 2) richness and grab of the ideas 3) originality 4) organization 5) clarity Each submission will be appraised in terms of what it purports to be, including, but not limited to, an ethnographic, feminist, grounded theory or phenomenlogic work. If submissions are research, also assessed will be the rigor of the research process, the clarity of the findings, the representation of the informants' views and (if appropriate) representation of the researcher's views. Nominations by self or another must be submitted by April 15, 2008. Submissions must be accompanied by a letter outlining the reasons for the nomination. Applications and supporting materials should be sent by mail or if you wish you may email all your documents to Jeanne Strand (jeannestrand@ncfr.org).

Ernest Burgess Award

The award is named after Ernest Burgess, a member of the Department of Sociology at the University of Chicago between 1916 and 1951. His research interests involved three fields: family, community, and crime & delinquency. He was one of the co-founders of NCFR and served as its fourth president. Professor Burgess was also a co-founder of NCFR's first journal (now the Journal of Marriage and Family), and an early president of the organization. After his retirement, friends and colleagues donated money to establish this award in his name.

The Burgess award is given every other year, in even numbered years to a scholar with a distinguished record of contributions to family studies. (The Marie Peters award is given in odd numbered years). The committee contains 6 members who serve for two award cycles (four years total). The incoming chair of Research and Theory Section is the chair of the committee. The other five members are appointed by the chair of the committee, in consultation with the chair of research and theory.

The committee receives nominations from NCFR members during the year prior to making the award. Members of the Burgess committee also can place names in nomination. Nominated candidates are asked to submit a recent vita and the names of individuals willing to serve as referees, and committee members study these vitas and letters of recommendation prior to reaching a decision. Candidates do not have to be members of NCFR to receive the award, although the committee may take membership into account when making decisions.

The winner of the award receives a plaque, a check for $1,000, and up to $750 in travel expenses. The award is given at the annual meeting of NCFR. The award recipient is expected to give a talk (about one hour) at the meeting after receiving the award. The chair of the Burgess committee usually presents the award, gives some background about the award, and introduces the speaker and topic.

The first award was given to Mildred Kantor and Howard Gall for a research proposal entitled "Some consequences of physical and social mobility of families for the adjustment of children." In 1966, the focus of the award shifted to the recognition of outstanding research contributions over the course of a career.

Stephen R. Marks
Chair, Burgess Award Committee, 2008

Past Ernest Burgess Award Winners

Reuben Hill Award

The Reuben Hill Award is presented annually to the author(s) of an outstanding research article in a family journal for the year prior to the award (2005 and 2006). A plaque is given to each author of the award-winning article, and a check for $1,000 is divided equally among all the authors. There is no nomination process for this award. A committee conducts an evaluation of the top scholarly journals in the family field. Please note: Nominees for all Awards must be current NCFR Members (except the Distinguished Service to Families). NCFR does not offer scholarships or award to any non-members.

Past Reuben Hill Award Winners