Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Being recognized by your peers is a meaningful achievement. Personally, it validates your efforts and shows that others acknowledge the hard work you’ve put into your endeavors. Professionally, awards serve as a testament to your status as a respected and accomplished contributor in your field, showcasing excellence and dedication to your work. However, many individuals feel hesitant about asking a colleague for a nomination or self-nominating for awards. This hesitation often stems from feelings of imposter syndrome (doubt in one’s accomplishments and fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite evidence of competence) or a lack of awareness about the nomination process. Although recent efforts have increased recognition for individuals from diverse backgrounds, there is more work to be done to close the gap between historically represented groups and underrepresented communities. During the 2024 ESA meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, the Awards and Honors Canvassing and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committees hosted a workshop to address these challenges. Past awardees shared their experiences, offering guidance on overcoming barriers and persevering in the application process. Here are some key takeaways: Your initial attempt at earning an award may not always be successful—maybe some points in the requirements were missed, or the application could have been stronger in certain areas. Seeking feedback from the awards committee can help you understand why you weren’t selected and improve future submissions. The best way to get feedback is to e-mail the awards committee chair directly. Remember, not receiving an award doesn’t diminish your work’s value. It simply means that, at that particular time, someone else’s contributions aligned more closely with the award criteria. Perseverance is essential—refine your application and try again. It’s important to first acknowledge that changes are needed in award criteria to better reflect the diverse roles and contributions within the field of entomology. Not everyone follows the traditional academic or research-focused path. Many entomologists excel in areas like extension, administration, science communication, education, and public outreach. These individuals may not frequently publish in scientific journals, but their contributions are no less critical. Recognizing and valuing these diverse contributions is essential to fostering a sense of inclusion and ensuring that awards reflect the full spectrum of excellence in the field. ESA has taken steps to address this by revising the ESA Fellows program to include extension, administration, and research tracks. While this is an encouraging start, more work is needed to ensure that all contributions are equally valued and celebrated. Reaching out to past awardees and trusted colleagues can be invaluable when identifying awards that align with your achievements. They can offer insights into your competitiveness and provide advice for strengthening your application. Additionally, many universities and organizations have awards committees or mentors to guide you through the process, increasing your chances of success. Self-nominations are a valid way to highlight your accomplishments, but having a colleague nominate you can add an extra layer of credibility to your application. A nomination from someone who knows your work well demonstrates external validation and can strengthen your case for the award. If you decide to self-nominate, consider asking a trusted colleague for feedback on your submission to ensure it effectively showcases your contributions and impact. Additionally, even if you are not part of an entomology department, you can still be nominated by a non-entomologist, further broadening your opportunities for recognition. Lina Bernaola accepting the SEB Comstock Award in 2019. Overcoming imposter syndrome can be challenging when applying for awards, but it’s important to remember that awards are designed to evaluate your achievements relative to specific criteria, not to compare you with others at different stages of their careers. Many individuals, regardless of career stage, are doing impactful and meaningful work that deserves recognition, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. Trust in your contributions and know that you are worthy of being acknowledged for your efforts and accomplishments. Design your application package to align with the award’s specific criteria and goals. Avoid using generic templates; instead, review the requirements carefully and structure your materials to highlight how your achievements meet each criterion in the requested order. Emphasize what makes you unique and use specific examples to showcase your contributions and impact. Avoid vague terms like “great” or “several,” and focus on measurable outcomes and detailed descriptions. A customized, precise application demonstrates attention to detail, highlights your strengths, and significantly increases your chances of being recognized for your contributions. While ESA offers numerous awards to recognize the contributions of entomologists, it’s important to remember that many other institutions and organizations also offer awards in related fields. Broadening your search and applying for awards outside of ESA can create additional opportunities to highlight your achievements and gain recognition from diverse audiences. We would like to thank Laura Levine, Dalton Ludwick, Abigail Hayes, Lorena Lopez, Lina Bernaola, and Alvin Simmons for generously sharing their experiences and insights. Patricia Prade is an extension entomologist at Penn State Extension in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Mustapha Debboun is a medical and veterinary entomologist who is currently the director of the Mosquito and Vector Control Division in Harris County Public Health in Houston, Texas. Sarah Elzay is an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Fort Hays State University, Kansas.
Source: American Entomologist
DOI: 10.1093/ae/tmaf012
Authors: Patricia Prade, Mustapha Debboun, Sarah Elzay
Institutions: Harris Health System, Fort Hays State University
Language: English
Subfield: Safety Research
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4409600527