Members Area

Inclusion, Diversity, and Excellence in Advocacy and Social Justice (IDEAS) Student Award

*Deadline Extended: Applications Accepted Through March 25, 2024

The purpose of the IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, and Excellence in Advocacy and Social Justice) Award is to recognize and honor the achievements of students involved in research, service, or applied experiences that focus on diversity, inclusion, social justice, or advocacy in sport and performance psychology. The recipient receives a check for $500, a waived AASP Annual Conference registration fee in the year of the award, and a plaque presented at the conference.

Award Criteria

Applicants for the award must meet the following criteria:

  1. Be a current AASP student member at the time of submission.
  2. Have made important contributions to the field of sport and performance psychology in the area of diversity, inclusion, social justice, or advocacy, including but not limited to research, service, or applied work with clients, organizations, or community groups. Applicants need only fulfill one area (i.e., research, service, or applied work) to be eligible.

Important contributions may look like:

  • Implementation of advocacy or social justice initiatives within an organization,
  • Use of culturally-informed and responsive practices within diverse populations that created sustained and meaningful change with person(s) and community served,
  • Publications,
  • Development of manuals/workbooks,
  • Presentation(s) at annual conference,
  • Guest lectures,
  • Community service work, and/or
  • Presentation(s) at a sport-related, relevant conference related to diversity and inclusion (e.g., Diversity in Sport Conference, Social Justice through Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium) will be considered, however, the presentation needs to coincide with the AASP Position Statement on Human Diversity.

Submission Requirements

  • A three-page essay which addresses:
    • How the student incorporates issues of diversity, inclusion, social justice or advocacy into their research, service and/or applied work, and
    • The importance of addressing these issues in the field of sport and performance psychology.
  • A letter of recommendation from an AASP professional member familiar with the student’s work.
  • An updated curriculum vitae.
  • Sample of one diversity, inclusion, social justice, or advocacy-related product (e.g., publication, podcast, workbook).
    • NOTE: This sample is for AASP Diversity Committee review only. This information will not be duplicated or shared with others.

Nominations

  • AASP student members may nominate themselves and are encouraged to do so. In addition, AASP professional members are encouraged to nominate qualified individuals for this award.
  • Nominations for the award should be submitted before the March 1 deadline to the Chair of the Diversity Committee.
  • Up to two students may receive the Diversity Award each year.

Award Recognition

  • The Annual Conference registration fee will be waived for the year of the award.
  • A plaque will be given to the award winner(s) at the conference.
    • Plaque to read: "In recognition of achievement for important contributions to the field of sport and performance psychology in the areas of diversity, inclusion, social justice, and advocacy."

View a list of past IDEAS Student Award recipients