Carl J. Couch Internet Research Award 2012

*Application deadline is EXTENDED to May 20, 2012*
The Carl Couch Center issues an annual call for student-authored papers to be considered for Carl J. Couch Internet Research Award. The Couch Center welcomes both theoretical and empirical papers that (1) apply symbolic interactionist approaches to internet studies, (2) demonstrate interactive relationships between social interaction and communication technologies, and/or (3) develop symbolic interactionist concepts in new directions.

Papers will be evaluated based on the quality of (1) mastery of symbolic interactionist approaches and concepts, (2) originality, (3) organization, (4) presentation, and (5) advancement of knowledge. Those contemplating entering should note that an interactionist approach demands thoughtful analysis, and not mere description, of human interactions.  Evaluation will be administered by a Review Committee of four:

    Mark D. Johns, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa
    Lori Kendall, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
    Annette Markham, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
    Lois Ann Scheidt, Indiana University, Bloomington

Competition is open to graduate or undergraduate students of all disciplines. Works that are published or accepted for publication are not eligible for award consideration. Entries should not exceed 30 pages (approximately 7500 words) in length, including references and appendices. Limit of one entry per student per year.

The top paper will receive the Couch Award to be presented at the 2012 meeting of the Association of Internet Researchers (aoir.org) at the University of Salford, (near Manchester) UK. The top paper will be awarded a certificate and a cash prize of $300 US and the author will be invited to present their work at a session of the AoIR conference, October 18-21, 2012 in Salford.

Those interested should send a copy of their paper, with a 100-word abstract, electronically to Mark D. Johns: mjohns [at] luther.edu  Application deadline is EXTENDED to May 20, 2012. Notification of award will be sent by June 15.

Those with questions or comments about Couch Award application, please contact:

Mark D. Johns
Luther College Study Centre
Nottingham, UK
UK phone: (44) 115-929-2721
US phone: (563) 387-1347
E-mail: mjohns [at] luther.edu