THE 2006 AATE RESEARCH AWARDS
The AMERICAN ALLIANCE FOR THEATRE AND EDUCATION offers three research awards:
THE RESEARCH AWARD
THE DISTINGUISHED DISSERTATION/THESIS AWARD
THE JUDITH KASE COOPER HONORARY RESEARCH AWARD
THE RESEARCH AWARD & DISTINGUISHED DISSERTATION/THESIS AWARD
The AATE Research Award and The Distinguished Dissertation/Thesis Award are offered annually for significant theoretical, empirical, ethnographic, critical, historical, or other scholarly research in any area of drama/theatre for young people. The purpose of the awards is to encourage novice and senior researchers to strive for excellence; to receive constructive critiques from established researchers; and to increase the prestige, caliber, and recognition of laudable research in the field of drama/theatre. Finalist’s summary papers are frequently published in the Youth Theatre Journal. As potential recipients of these awards, finalists are invited to present their research at the annual AATE conference.
For The Research Award and The Distinguished Dissertation/Thesis Award, research should address or identify any research, policy, or practice issues in drama with children, drama/theatre education, or theatre for young audiences. Potential topics include but are not limited to: (a) drama or theatre education for young people (preschool through grade 12), (b) theatre for young audiences or their professional companies in the United States and abroad, (c) playwriting, (d) educational theory, methods and curriculum, (e) drama with, by, and for exceptional populations, (f) religious drama, (g) puppetry, (h) film and television for children, and (i) historical studies.
Eligibility: Any AATE member may submit a study description for consideration. Any non-member may enter if sponsored by an active AATE member. An invitation to submit constitutes adequate sponsorship. Finalists must become AATE members. Entrants may submit their dissertations/theses within four years of their completion; (completed after November 2001 for this year’s entry.)
To Submit: Send six copies of a 2-3 page single spaced description of the study for blind review by jurors; one copy of a title page including author(s) name, mailing address, phone and fax numbers, and email address; and one copy of the completed study (if available). All references cited in the study description must be included within the 3 page maximum. If the description exceeds this limit, the entry may be refused. The study description should address explicitly as many of the following as are applicable, preferably in this order: (1) objectives or purpose; (2) perspective(s) or theoretical framework; (3) methods, techniques, or modes of inquiry; (4) data sources or evidence; (5) results and/or conclusions/point of view; (6) educational or theoretical importance of the study and (7) reference to human subject approval standards. Entries should be sent to the Research Award Chair (see address at the end of this announcement) and postmarked no later than November 1, 2005.
Entrants will be notified by December 20, 2005 if their study has been selected to go to Round II of the award process, Round II participants must submit five copies of the completed study by January 7. 2006. Blind review will no longer apply after Round I. Finalists will be determined by April 29, 2006. Award Finalists will present their research at the annual AATE conference in Chicago, Illinois (late July and/or early August) where the final determination of Award recipients will be made. Finalists are also asked to submit summary papers to the Youth Theatre Journal for potential publication.
The AATE Judith Kase Cooper Honorary Research Award is given to honor distinguished scholars who have contributed significantly to the development of theory and research in the field of drama/theatre and education. The nominee’s collective works can be theoretical, empirical, ethnographic, critical historical, or other scholarly research in any area of drama/theatre for young people.
Nominations are solicited from the AATE membership. Those nominated must be individuals who, either working independently or in collaboration with others, have made significant contributions to the body of research in drama/theatre education internationally. The focus of the award is on cumulative work accomplished over a number of years rather than on one study. Nominees must be recommended by at least 3 established researchers within AATE and at least 1 established researcher outside the field. Nominators must submit an abbreviated curriculum vitae of themselves indication their own research history in the field of drama/theatre and education. One of the nominators will compile a dossier of the individual nominated which must include a list of research publications and activities. It may also include teaching history, presentations made, positions held, and research grants received. The nominee may or may not be aware of the nomination. The Research Award Chair and jurors will hold all nominations in confidence. The nominators will be informed of the results by the Research Award Chair.
The award is not meant to be competitive. If more than one nomination is received in any given year, the jury may present more than one award or choose to offer one award in subsequent year.
Requests for guidelines and nomination documents should be made as soon as possible to the Research Award Chair. Submissions should be sent to the Research Award Chair (see information below) and must be postmarked by February 15, 2006. Final selection of the award recipients will be made by the Research Award Jury.
Submissions for The Research Award and The Distinguished Dissertation/Thesis Award must be postmarked by no later than November 1, 2005. Submissions for the Judith Kase Cooper Honorary Research Award must be postmarked by February 15, 2006. Please contact the Research Award Chair, before submitting any materials, for a complete copy of guidelines and adjudicating criteria.
Send all submissions and request for further information to: