Call for Nominations:

In keeping with the Lydia Maria Child Society’s goal of honoring and continuing Child’s legacy, the Society is pleased to recognize Humanities scholars who have demonstrated a commitment to social justice through teaching, research, and/or service.

To honor Lydia Maria Child’s unwavering dedication to creating a more just world through writing and education, the LMCS will make two awards to those working in Humanities disciplines (including independent researchers, post-secondary instructors, professors at all ranks, and graduate students).  The Society encourages nominations of those who speak to pressing social causes in their research or writing, as well as those who have developed or participated in pedagogical or other campus projects that promote a society in which all voices are heard and recognized.

To apply for either of these awards or to nominate a colleague or student, please submit a two-page letter detailing how your own or your nominee's academic and/or pedagogical work engages with current social justice concerns. Please email the letter to  lydiamariachildsociety@gmail.com with "Social Justice Award" as the subject line of your email by April 1, 2026. Please be as specific as possible about the kinds of research, writing, teaching, or campus/community service in which the nominee has been engaged; the scope and impact of that work; and the nominee’s commitment to creating a more just society.  While we are happy to receive nominations for those who teach or write about Lydia Maria Child, direct reference to Child is not necessary: we welcome scholarship and teaching on a range of topics.

Winners will receive a monetary award of $100 and will be featured in our society's newsletter. 

Those who have been nominated in the past but have not received the award are welcome to reapply.  Please note as well that this is a biennial award: in alternating calendar years, the Lydia Maria Child Society will switch between this award for academic work and one recognizing community work.  Please look for the call for nominations for Social Justice Awards in Community Work in 2027 and for Academic Work again in 2028.

To read about past winners, visit https://lydiamariachildsociety.wordpress.com/2016/07/13/social-justice-award-winners/.