A. Noam Chomsky Global Connections Awards celebrate the power of human connections. The awards recognize distinguished service to the global mission of the STAR Scholars Network. Several individuals with a deep impact on advancing global, social mobility are recognized every year. We live in a time when innovation and creativity in support of humanity are of great importance. The Star Scholars Network recognizes the commitment of concerned people able and willing to make a difference in the lives of others. Nominations for this award are solicited from around the world. The nominee can be from any field.

PRESS RELEASE: A. Noam Chomsky: Shaping a Humane World Through Global Connections

Beginning in 2020, the Star Scholars Network is committed to promoting transnational research, or collaborative research between scholars of two or more countries (e.g., joint publications, research partnerships, etc.). The Global Connections Awards recognize STAR Scholars for their achievements and distinctive contributions to translational research that demonstrates the very best of scholarly collaboration among scholars around the world. In December 2020, the Star Scholars Network will provide awards in three categories:

NORTH STAR MEDAL OF LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

The North Star Medal of Lifetime Achievement is the Star Scholars Network’s premier acknowledgment of outstanding achievement and success in transnational research. The medal honors a senior scholar whose life-long service, leadership, and contributions serve as a guiding “North Star” for scholarly collaboration in research.  

Eligibility requirements

• Candidates must demonstrate a history of educational leadership that spans a minimum of 15 years, as evidenced in teaching, research, and mentorship.
• Candidates must have an extensive publications record that exemplifies a long-standing commitment to fostering transnational research connections among scholars around the world.

SHINING STAR ACHIEVEMENT IN RESEARCH AWARD

Each year, the Star Scholars Network celebrates up to two (2) exemplary achievements in transnational research. The Shining Star Achievement in Research Award recognizes influential scholarly contributions in any discipline, whether they be in the form of scholarly journal articles, books, book chapters, or other expressions of scholarly collaboration.  

Eligibility requirements

• The scholarly achievement in transnational research must have been made after October in the year proceeding recognition.
• The award recognizes the primary author(s), editor(s) or related primary contributor(s).

RISING STAR EMERGING SCHOLAR CERTIFICATE

Each year, the Star Scholars Network recognizes up to two (2) emerging scholars who have shown significant promise and commitment to transnational research. One award will recognize an emerging scholar (post terminal degree completion) in any field that has distinguished him or herself as a rising leader in advancing transnational research. The other award will recognize a current graduate student who has demonstrated significant promise to advancing transnational research through publications, leadership, or other relevant contributions.

Eligibility requirements

• Candidates must be less than 5 years beyond completion of their terminal degree.
• Candidates must have demonstrated scholarly promise and a commitment to transnational research, as evidenced in teaching, research, and/or mentorship.

NOMINATIONS

All Star Scholars Network members are invited to submit nominations. Self-nominations are also welcome, however, membership in the Star Scholars Network is required.  Candidates may represent any discipline or language of publication but must demonstrate a scholarly commitment to advancing transnational research.  All nominations must include the following:

1. Nominator information (i.e., name, email, phone number, title, affiliation)
2. Candidate(s) information (i.e., name, email, phone number, title, affiliation)
3. Indication of the specific award category
4. A brief narrative (< 250 words) describing the candidate or candidates’ commitment to transnational research.
5. A brief description (< 500 words) of the candidate or candidates’ contribution to transnational research and why they should receive a Global Connections Award.
6. Although not-required, nominations may include up to five attachments. Suggested attachments include, for example, 1.) the candidates’ curriculum vitae, 2.) letters of nomination, 3.) an example of the candidate(s) scholarly contributions, or 4.) any other supporting documentation that can demonstrate a commitment to transnational research.
7. Nominations for the North Star Medal of Lifetime Achievement must include a letter highlighting the candidate’s career and contribution to transnational research.

SELECTION

The Star Scholars Network appoints an annual Awards Selection Committee each year that oversees the award categories, nominating procedures, submissions criteria, and award selection.  Awards will be announced at the 2020 Annual Conference on December 8, 2020.

The 2020 Committee is chaired by Dr. Anthony C. Ogden, Vice President of International Learning and Engagement for the Star Scholars Network (and Managing Partner, Gateway International Group). Other members include:

• Krisha Bista, Morgan State University, USA
• Fred Boateng, University of Ghana, Ghana
• Janita Poe, Georgia State University, USA
• Rosalind Raby, California Colleges for International Education, USA
• CindyAnn Rose-Redwood, University of Victoria, Canada
• Yuriko Sato, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

TIMELINE

Nominations for the 2020 Global Connections Awards are due by 5pm ET, on Friday, Nov 6, 2020.  Applications and attachments must be submitted online at, https://starscholars.org/global-connections-award/

QUESTIONS

Questions regarding the content of this brief report should be directed to Dr. Anthony C. Ogden, awards@starscholars.org