History

SCMS recognizes that a considerable amount of media studies scholarship is published in anthologies. The Best Essay in an Edited Collection award recognizes an outstanding single essay published in a collection. This award is also meant to encourage new scholarship that reflects upon the traditions of collaboration and diverse perspectives in our field.

Eligibility

• Essays must appear in a single or multiply-edited volume published between August 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025.
• Previously published essays or essays in special issues of journals are not eligible for this award. Although reprinted essays are excluded from consideration, an essay published for the first time in a subsequent anthology edition is eligible.
• Authors may self-nominate.
• Essays may not compete for more than one SCMS award.

Procedures

• Entrants must complete the submission form through the Awards portal by the annual deadline.
• Essays should be saved in PDF format (not exceeding 30MB) and attached to the online essay award application.
• The SCMS office will inform the official winner and all entrants.
• The chairs of the committees will announce the winners of the awards, read the committees' citations, and present each winner with a certificate and a check at the annual conference. The Best Essay in an Edited Collection has a $500 prize.
• Failure to follow procedures will result in disqualification.