Distinguished Scholar
The College of Education awards the title of Distinguished Scholar and Distinguished Senior Scholar to nominated members of the faculty (tenure-track or specialized) who have distinguished themselves in their scholarly accomplishments.
- College of Education Distinguished Scholar: open to faculty who completed their terminal degree within the past ten years
- College of Education Distinguished Senior Scholar: open to faculty beyond ten years from earning their terminal degree.
This program is supported by the Charles Dunn Hardie Trust.
Nominations will be accepted through Friday, January 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM, using the online submission system.
Award Details
Awards will typically be made for one Distinguished Scholar ($1,500) and one Distinguished Senior Scholar ($2,500). The fund to support future research will be deposited in a research account for the Scholar’s use.Criteria
The awards are based solely upon criteria of scholarly quality, significance, and productivity. Typically, these criteria will be indexed by the influence, quality, and volume of published books, book chapters, and/or refereed articles in one's field, as well as the duration and consistency of one's scholarly performance over a period of time. External funding for scholarship also will be considered.
Suitable questions to ask in evaluating quality and significance include:
Does the individual's work find its way into the very best outlets in the field?
Is the work highly regarded by peers?
How has this person's scholarship advanced or changed the field?
What conceptual and theoretical advances are evident in this scholarship?
What methodological advances are evident in this scholarship?
Is the scholarship programmatic, sustained, and cumulative?
Given that appropriate external funds are available for this form of scholarship, has the individual applied for and received substantive external support?
Has this scholarship opened up new areas of inquiry?
How has this scholarship influenced educational practices and policy?
Eligibility
Faculty who completed their terminal degree within the past ten years are eligible for the Distinguished Scholar Award. Those who completed their terminal degree more than ten years ago are eligible for the Distinguished Senior Scholar Award. Individuals who have previously received the Distinguished Scholar Award may also be considered for the Distinguished Senior Scholar Award once they have surpassed the ten-year mark. The selection criteria for both awards are similar, but calibrated to different reference groups.Nomination and Selection Procedures
Nominations may be submitted by the candidate, the candidate’s department, or any colleague within the college. The nomination letter should be authored by someone who is deeply familiar with the candidate’s work and can provide an informed perspective on its impact and visibility within the field.
Required Materials:
- Nomination letters carry the responsibility of demonstrating that the candidate’s record meets the distinguished criteria outlined above. They should clearly articulate how the candidate’s scholarship has influenced their field(s) of expertise and contributed to its advancement.
- The curriculum vitae accompanying the application should follow the basic format used for College promotion and tenure submissions, including sections that document scholarship and professional service.
- Two representative publications should be included.
- Two letters of support (in addition to the nomination letter) are required. At least one must come from outside the University of Illinois. Both letters should be written by scholars in the candidate’s research area who can speak to the quality and impact of the work.
The College Research Committee will then undertake a thorough review and selection process and make recommendations to the Dean.
How to Nominate
Nominations will be accepted through Monday, January 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM.Questions
For questions about the Distinguished Scholar program or the nomination process, please email ber@education.illinois.edu.