Mass Communication and Society Research Award
MC&S research award
As part of the division’s commitment to facilitating excellent research, MC&S has awarded research grants of up to $5,000 for the past three years. In 2009, Seth Lewis, University of Texas at Austin, won the award. Past winners have included: Elizabeth Skewes, University of Colorado;
Renita Coleman, Texas at Austin; Andrew F. Hayes and Teresa A. Myers, Ohio State; and Kevin Williams, Mississippi State.
To learn more about the award and how to apply, read the complete details below.
2010 MC&S Research Award Proposal Call
The Mass Communication & Society Division will provide a cash grant of up to $5,000 to encourage high-quality research on media and society. Winner/s will be recognized at the MC&S business meeting in Denver. The $5,000 may be awarded to a single project or to two smaller projects. The funded research must be submitted to Mass Communication & Society for review within two years of the award.
Deadline
May 1, 2010
Research Topic
Any topic that advances mass communication research, especially at the societal or macrosocial level, is eligible for the award. Proposals must emphasize the interaction with society and fit with the division’s mission.
Research Method
All methods, whether qualitative or quantitative, are welcomed.
Proposal
This proposal should be submitted in a Word Document with the .doc extension. The proposal should total no more than 5 pages, single spaced. It should include the following sections:
1) An overview of the study, stressing the importance of the topic and the fit with the division’s mission. This section should include the research questions and hypotheses, if applicable;
2) A brief literature review citing the most relevant articles and describing where the project fits with past research;
3) Proposed methods, with as much detail as possible;
4) A proposed timeline from inception of the project to Mass Communication and Society submission. Note: The project must be completed within two years (and the selection committee encourages a faster timeline, if possible).
Additional Materials
Submitters also should include a current curriculum vita and a detailed project budget, showing how the research funds would be used. For the most part, hosting/entertaining expenses and personal memberships and subscriptions will not be funded, unless justified by the researcher. If matching funds are promised by another source, please include a letter (or e-mail) of support from the department chair or other administrator responsible for those funds.
Eligibility
Any member of the Mass Communication & Society division who is currently teaching, researching or studying mass communication full time is eligible. Members of the MC&S executive committee or the selection committee are ineligible.
Additional Rules
Half of the awarded funds will be distributed at the start of the project, and the other half will be awarded when the project is submitted to Mass Communication & Society for review, as long as that submission takes place within the two-year deadline. Those not completing the project in two years from the date of award become ineligible for the additional funding; however, the journal still has first right of refusal on the research project. The proposals will be reviewed by the award committee, which is composed of the current division head, the immediate past division head, the current journal editor, the immediate past editor of the journal, and one at large member appointed by the current head.
Submissions
Submissions will be accepted beginning January 2009 and must be submitted to research co-chair, Bu Zhong at zhongbu@psu.edu. Attach all required materials in either Word (with .doc extension) or Excel files. Hard copies will not be accepted.