ABOUT ISA

Established in March 2013, the ISA Award for Excellence in Research and Practice is granted by the International Sociological Association to a sociologist whose outstanding contributions advance and promote sociological knowledge and practice, while strengthening the discipline, the profession, and the ISA.

Presented every four years, the award is conferred during the Opening Ceremony of the ISA World Congress of Sociology.

The 2027 award will mark the fourth edition of this distinction and will be presented at the XXI ISA World Congress of Sociology, to be held in Gwangju, Republic of Korea, from 4 to 10 July 2027.

The award recipient will receive:

•    A plaque: ISA Award for Excellence in Research and Practice
•    Travel (economy) and accommodation to attend the World Congress
•    Waiver of the World Congress registration fee
•    Announcement in the Congress programme, on the ISA website, and through ISA communication channels

Nomination Procedure

Nominations must include the following documents:

1. Letters of nomination signed by:
   • the officers of at least two ISA Research Committees, Working Groups, or Thematic Groups; or
   • three ISA members in good standing; or
   • an academic institution (e.g., research institute or sociology department); or
   • the officers of at least two national associations of sociology
2. A narrative biography (1–2 pages) and a curriculum vitae of the nominee (up to 5 pages)
3. Supporting documentation demonstrating the merits of the nominee, which may include:
   • letters of support (not limited to ISA members - maximum 7 letters).
   • evidence of contributions to the discipline, the profession, and the ISA, particularly in advancing research and practice

Nominators are responsible for compiling and submitting a complete and well-documented nomination.

Technical submission requirements

Applicants must submit three separate PDF files (limited to 1GB each). Each of the required components listed above must be prepared and uploaded as an individual file:

1. nomination letters
2. narrative biography and CV, and 
3. supporting documentation

A nomination statement is required when filling out the form, explaining how the nominee has advanced and promoted sociological knowledge and practice through outstanding contributions to the discipline, the profession, and the ISA (maximum 500 words). 

Submissions

All nominations must be submitted through the Online Nomination Form by 30 October 2026.
No additional submissions by email are required.
Nominations Form: https://forms.gle/DfYJEeuH3nbnFJJm6

Eligibility

Current members of the ISA Executive Committee are not eligible for this award.

Enquiries

Any inquiries regarding this call should be directed to the ISA Secretariat at isa@isa-sociology.org, with a copy to the Chair of the ISA Award Committee for Excellence in Research and Practice, Geoffrey Pleyers, ISA President (geoffrey.pleyers@uclouvain.be)