About the SAA Awards
The Society for American Archaeology Awards recognize and honor knowledge and professional achievements at all career levels--from student and early career archaeologists to those who have made lasting contributions to the Society and the profession. The Call for Nominations opens in the fall of each year.
The 2025 Call for Award Nominations is open.
Deadlines and nomination information vary by award
Prior to any award recommendation being finalized and publicly announced, anyone recommended for an award, scholarship, or grant will be required to certify the following:
(a) I am not and have not ever been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that resulted in an adverse finding; and(b) I do not have and have not had a current or pending disciplinary action such as suspension or termination of registration, resulting from a Register of Professional Archaeologists’ grievance investigation.
Professional Awards
Gene S. Stuart Award
Nomination/Submission Deadline: 31 Dec 2024
Award Description
An award of $1,000 is made to honor outstanding efforts to enhance public understanding of archaeology, in memory of Gene S. Stuart (1930-1993), a writer and managing editor of National Geographic Society books. The award is given to the author of the most interesting and responsible original story or series about about any archaeological topic published in a newspaper, magazine, or online publication. The award is funded by Boundary End Archaeology Research Center.
Who Is Eligible to Submit Nominations or Apply for the Award
The award honors the author or authors of a publication which brought awareness of archaeology to the general public in. Nominations can be submitted by authors themselves, by publication editors, or by readers. This award is meant to honor widely available articles, stories, or series (rather than limited distribution newsletters). The nominated work should include at least one written component. Each nominee will work with the committee chair to assemble and submit a copy of the nominated work. Awardees may be members or non-members of the SAA.
Nomination/Submission Materials Required
The committee chair will work with the nominator and, when necessary, the author, to assemble a digital copy of the article for submission, which should have been published within the calendar year of 2024. In cases where a series is nominated, the submission should include no more than five components (articles/stories). Each nomination file should include author name, publication date, and publication name, and should be submitted via email to the committee chair by the due date. If nominator wishes to submit paper copies, they must contact the committee chair in advance of the due date to ensure they arrive before deliberations begin.
Other Special Requirements
Prior to any award recommendation being finalized and publically announced, anyone recommended for an award, scholarship, or grant will be required to certify the following:
(a) I am not and have not ever been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that resulted in an adverse finding; and(b) I do not have and have not had a current or pending disciplinary action such as suspension or termination of registration, resulting from a Register of Professional Archaeologists’ grievance investigation.
Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)
The awardee receives $1,000. In addition, the awardee is recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the business meeting held at the Annual Meeting, a citation in The SAA Archaeological Record, and acknowledgment on the awards page of the SAA Website.
Current Committee Charge
Committee Composition
Committee composition is one chair and at least four members, who may be serving or recently served on the Committee for Media Outreach.
Term Length
Three years.
Award Cycle
N/A
Committee Chair and End of Term
Michelle Turner [2026]
Committee Chair Contact Information
Committee Members and Ends of Terms
Selection or Evaluation Criteria
The Gene S. Stuart Award is given to the author of the most interesting and responsible original story/series about any archaeological topic published in a newspaper or magazine. The story/series should adhere to the guidelines of the Principles of Archaeological Ethics as outlined by the Society for American Archaeology.
Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)
Prior to the deadline, award requirements and deadline information are distributed via email to current SAA members by SAA staff and to archaeology professional networks by members of the Award committee as they see fit. The committee chair communicates electronically evaluation procedures and deadlines to committee members. The committee meets electronically to evaluate submissions after the deadline has passed. The committee members evaluate submissions, rank them, and explain their rationale for their rankings. Based on the recommendations of the chair and the committee members, the chair makes the decision as to who gets the award.
2024 Bridget A. Alex (Discover Magazine)
2023 Jude Isabella (Hakai Magazine)
2022 Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson (The Washington Post Magazine)
2021 Megan I. Gannon (Sapiens)
2020 Lizzie Wade (Science Magazine)
2019 Gayle Keck (American Archaeology)
2018 Nicholas St. Fleur (New York Times)
2017 Elizabeth Svoboda (Sapiens)
2016 Tamara Stewart (American Archaeology Magazine)
2015 Andrew Lawler
2014 Ann Gibbons (Science Magazine)
2013 Julian Smith (American Archaeology)
2012 Mike Toner (American Archaeology)
2011 Dan Vergano (USA Today)
2010 Andrea Cooper (Free Lance)
2009 Andrew Lawler (Science Magazine)
2008 Tom Avril (Philadelphia Enquirer)
2007 Richard L. Hill (The Oregonian)
2006 Andrew Petkofsky
2005 Marion Lloyd
2004 Alexandra Witze
2003 None
2002 Chip Minty
2001 Mike Toner (The Atlanta
Journal-Constitution)
2000 Frank Roylance (Baltimore Sun)
1999 William Mullen (Chicago Tribune)
1998 Diedtra Henderson (Seattle Times)
1997 None
1996 Matt Crenson (Dallas Morning News)
1995 Nathan Seppa (Wisconsin State Journal)
1994 Scott LaFee (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Travel Awards
Gene S. Stuart Award
Nomination/Submission Deadline: 31 Dec 2024
Award Description
An award of $1,000 is made to honor outstanding efforts to enhance public understanding of archaeology, in memory of Gene S. Stuart (1930-1993), a writer and managing editor of National Geographic Society books. The award is given to the author of the most interesting and responsible original story or series about about any archaeological topic published in a newspaper, magazine, or online publication. The award is funded by Boundary End Archaeology Research Center.
Who Is Eligible to Submit Nominations or Apply for the Award
The award honors the author or authors of a publication which brought awareness of archaeology to the general public in. Nominations can be submitted by authors themselves, by publication editors, or by readers. This award is meant to honor widely available articles, stories, or series (rather than limited distribution newsletters). The nominated work should include at least one written component. Each nominee will work with the committee chair to assemble and submit a copy of the nominated work. Awardees may be members or non-members of the SAA.
Nomination/Submission Materials Required
The committee chair will work with the nominator and, when necessary, the author, to assemble a digital copy of the article for submission, which should have been published within the calendar year of 2024. In cases where a series is nominated, the submission should include no more than five components (articles/stories). Each nomination file should include author name, publication date, and publication name, and should be submitted via email to the committee chair by the due date. If nominator wishes to submit paper copies, they must contact the committee chair in advance of the due date to ensure they arrive before deliberations begin.
Other Special Requirements
Prior to any award recommendation being finalized and publically announced, anyone recommended for an award, scholarship, or grant will be required to certify the following:
(a) I am not and have not ever been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that resulted in an adverse finding; and(b) I do not have and have not had a current or pending disciplinary action such as suspension or termination of registration, resulting from a Register of Professional Archaeologists’ grievance investigation.
Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)
The awardee receives $1,000. In addition, the awardee is recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the business meeting held at the Annual Meeting, a citation in The SAA Archaeological Record, and acknowledgment on the awards page of the SAA Website.
Current Committee Charge
Committee Composition
Committee composition is one chair and at least four members, who may be serving or recently served on the Committee for Media Outreach.
Term Length
Three years.
Award Cycle
N/A
Committee Chair and End of Term
Michelle Turner [2026]
Committee Chair Contact Information
Committee Members and Ends of Terms
Selection or Evaluation Criteria
The Gene S. Stuart Award is given to the author of the most interesting and responsible original story/series about any archaeological topic published in a newspaper or magazine. The story/series should adhere to the guidelines of the Principles of Archaeological Ethics as outlined by the Society for American Archaeology.
Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)
Prior to the deadline, award requirements and deadline information are distributed via email to current SAA members by SAA staff and to archaeology professional networks by members of the Award committee as they see fit. The committee chair communicates electronically evaluation procedures and deadlines to committee members. The committee meets electronically to evaluate submissions after the deadline has passed. The committee members evaluate submissions, rank them, and explain their rationale for their rankings. Based on the recommendations of the chair and the committee members, the chair makes the decision as to who gets the award.
2024 Bridget A. Alex (Discover Magazine)
2023 Jude Isabella (Hakai Magazine)
2022 Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson (The Washington Post Magazine)
2021 Megan I. Gannon (Sapiens)
2020 Lizzie Wade (Science Magazine)
2019 Gayle Keck (American Archaeology)
2018 Nicholas St. Fleur (New York Times)
2017 Elizabeth Svoboda (Sapiens)
2016 Tamara Stewart (American Archaeology Magazine)
2015 Andrew Lawler
2014 Ann Gibbons (Science Magazine)
2013 Julian Smith (American Archaeology)
2012 Mike Toner (American Archaeology)
2011 Dan Vergano (USA Today)
2010 Andrea Cooper (Free Lance)
2009 Andrew Lawler (Science Magazine)
2008 Tom Avril (Philadelphia Enquirer)
2007 Richard L. Hill (The Oregonian)
2006 Andrew Petkofsky
2005 Marion Lloyd
2004 Alexandra Witze
2003 None
2002 Chip Minty
2001 Mike Toner (The Atlanta
Journal-Constitution)
2000 Frank Roylance (Baltimore Sun)
1999 William Mullen (Chicago Tribune)
1998 Diedtra Henderson (Seattle Times)
1997 None
1996 Matt Crenson (Dallas Morning News)
1995 Nathan Seppa (Wisconsin State Journal)
1994 Scott LaFee (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Student Awards
Gene S. Stuart Award
Nomination/Submission Deadline: 31 Dec 2024
Award Description
An award of $1,000 is made to honor outstanding efforts to enhance public understanding of archaeology, in memory of Gene S. Stuart (1930-1993), a writer and managing editor of National Geographic Society books. The award is given to the author of the most interesting and responsible original story or series about about any archaeological topic published in a newspaper, magazine, or online publication. The award is funded by Boundary End Archaeology Research Center.
Who Is Eligible to Submit Nominations or Apply for the Award
The award honors the author or authors of a publication which brought awareness of archaeology to the general public in. Nominations can be submitted by authors themselves, by publication editors, or by readers. This award is meant to honor widely available articles, stories, or series (rather than limited distribution newsletters). The nominated work should include at least one written component. Each nominee will work with the committee chair to assemble and submit a copy of the nominated work. Awardees may be members or non-members of the SAA.
Nomination/Submission Materials Required
The committee chair will work with the nominator and, when necessary, the author, to assemble a digital copy of the article for submission, which should have been published within the calendar year of 2024. In cases where a series is nominated, the submission should include no more than five components (articles/stories). Each nomination file should include author name, publication date, and publication name, and should be submitted via email to the committee chair by the due date. If nominator wishes to submit paper copies, they must contact the committee chair in advance of the due date to ensure they arrive before deliberations begin.
Other Special Requirements
Prior to any award recommendation being finalized and publically announced, anyone recommended for an award, scholarship, or grant will be required to certify the following:
(a) I am not and have not ever been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that resulted in an adverse finding; and(b) I do not have and have not had a current or pending disciplinary action such as suspension or termination of registration, resulting from a Register of Professional Archaeologists’ grievance investigation.
Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)
The awardee receives $1,000. In addition, the awardee is recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the business meeting held at the Annual Meeting, a citation in The SAA Archaeological Record, and acknowledgment on the awards page of the SAA Website.
Current Committee Charge
Committee Composition
Committee composition is one chair and at least four members, who may be serving or recently served on the Committee for Media Outreach.
Term Length
Three years.
Award Cycle
N/A
Committee Chair and End of Term
Michelle Turner [2026]
Committee Chair Contact Information
Committee Members and Ends of Terms
Selection or Evaluation Criteria
The Gene S. Stuart Award is given to the author of the most interesting and responsible original story/series about any archaeological topic published in a newspaper or magazine. The story/series should adhere to the guidelines of the Principles of Archaeological Ethics as outlined by the Society for American Archaeology.
Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)
Prior to the deadline, award requirements and deadline information are distributed via email to current SAA members by SAA staff and to archaeology professional networks by members of the Award committee as they see fit. The committee chair communicates electronically evaluation procedures and deadlines to committee members. The committee meets electronically to evaluate submissions after the deadline has passed. The committee members evaluate submissions, rank them, and explain their rationale for their rankings. Based on the recommendations of the chair and the committee members, the chair makes the decision as to who gets the award.
2024 Bridget A. Alex (Discover Magazine)
2023 Jude Isabella (Hakai Magazine)
2022 Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson (The Washington Post Magazine)
2021 Megan I. Gannon (Sapiens)
2020 Lizzie Wade (Science Magazine)
2019 Gayle Keck (American Archaeology)
2018 Nicholas St. Fleur (New York Times)
2017 Elizabeth Svoboda (Sapiens)
2016 Tamara Stewart (American Archaeology Magazine)
2015 Andrew Lawler
2014 Ann Gibbons (Science Magazine)
2013 Julian Smith (American Archaeology)
2012 Mike Toner (American Archaeology)
2011 Dan Vergano (USA Today)
2010 Andrea Cooper (Free Lance)
2009 Andrew Lawler (Science Magazine)
2008 Tom Avril (Philadelphia Enquirer)
2007 Richard L. Hill (The Oregonian)
2006 Andrew Petkofsky
2005 Marion Lloyd
2004 Alexandra Witze
2003 None
2002 Chip Minty
2001 Mike Toner (The Atlanta
Journal-Constitution)
2000 Frank Roylance (Baltimore Sun)
1999 William Mullen (Chicago Tribune)
1998 Diedtra Henderson (Seattle Times)
1997 None
1996 Matt Crenson (Dallas Morning News)
1995 Nathan Seppa (Wisconsin State Journal)
1994 Scott LaFee (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Student Fellowship Awards
Gene S. Stuart Award
Nomination/Submission Deadline: 31 Dec 2024
Award Description
An award of $1,000 is made to honor outstanding efforts to enhance public understanding of archaeology, in memory of Gene S. Stuart (1930-1993), a writer and managing editor of National Geographic Society books. The award is given to the author of the most interesting and responsible original story or series about about any archaeological topic published in a newspaper, magazine, or online publication. The award is funded by Boundary End Archaeology Research Center.
Who Is Eligible to Submit Nominations or Apply for the Award
The award honors the author or authors of a publication which brought awareness of archaeology to the general public in. Nominations can be submitted by authors themselves, by publication editors, or by readers. This award is meant to honor widely available articles, stories, or series (rather than limited distribution newsletters). The nominated work should include at least one written component. Each nominee will work with the committee chair to assemble and submit a copy of the nominated work. Awardees may be members or non-members of the SAA.
Nomination/Submission Materials Required
The committee chair will work with the nominator and, when necessary, the author, to assemble a digital copy of the article for submission, which should have been published within the calendar year of 2024. In cases where a series is nominated, the submission should include no more than five components (articles/stories). Each nomination file should include author name, publication date, and publication name, and should be submitted via email to the committee chair by the due date. If nominator wishes to submit paper copies, they must contact the committee chair in advance of the due date to ensure they arrive before deliberations begin.
Other Special Requirements
Prior to any award recommendation being finalized and publically announced, anyone recommended for an award, scholarship, or grant will be required to certify the following:
(a) I am not and have not ever been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that resulted in an adverse finding; and(b) I do not have and have not had a current or pending disciplinary action such as suspension or termination of registration, resulting from a Register of Professional Archaeologists’ grievance investigation.
Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)
The awardee receives $1,000. In addition, the awardee is recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the business meeting held at the Annual Meeting, a citation in The SAA Archaeological Record, and acknowledgment on the awards page of the SAA Website.
Current Committee Charge
Committee Composition
Committee composition is one chair and at least four members, who may be serving or recently served on the Committee for Media Outreach.
Term Length
Three years.
Award Cycle
N/A
Committee Chair and End of Term
Michelle Turner [2026]
Committee Chair Contact Information
Committee Members and Ends of Terms
Selection or Evaluation Criteria
The Gene S. Stuart Award is given to the author of the most interesting and responsible original story/series about any archaeological topic published in a newspaper or magazine. The story/series should adhere to the guidelines of the Principles of Archaeological Ethics as outlined by the Society for American Archaeology.
Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)
Prior to the deadline, award requirements and deadline information are distributed via email to current SAA members by SAA staff and to archaeology professional networks by members of the Award committee as they see fit. The committee chair communicates electronically evaluation procedures and deadlines to committee members. The committee meets electronically to evaluate submissions after the deadline has passed. The committee members evaluate submissions, rank them, and explain their rationale for their rankings. Based on the recommendations of the chair and the committee members, the chair makes the decision as to who gets the award.
2024 Bridget A. Alex (Discover Magazine)
2023 Jude Isabella (Hakai Magazine)
2022 Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson (The Washington Post Magazine)
2021 Megan I. Gannon (Sapiens)
2020 Lizzie Wade (Science Magazine)
2019 Gayle Keck (American Archaeology)
2018 Nicholas St. Fleur (New York Times)
2017 Elizabeth Svoboda (Sapiens)
2016 Tamara Stewart (American Archaeology Magazine)
2015 Andrew Lawler
2014 Ann Gibbons (Science Magazine)
2013 Julian Smith (American Archaeology)
2012 Mike Toner (American Archaeology)
2011 Dan Vergano (USA Today)
2010 Andrea Cooper (Free Lance)
2009 Andrew Lawler (Science Magazine)
2008 Tom Avril (Philadelphia Enquirer)
2007 Richard L. Hill (The Oregonian)
2006 Andrew Petkofsky
2005 Marion Lloyd
2004 Alexandra Witze
2003 None
2002 Chip Minty
2001 Mike Toner (The Atlanta
Journal-Constitution)
2000 Frank Roylance (Baltimore Sun)
1999 William Mullen (Chicago Tribune)
1998 Diedtra Henderson (Seattle Times)
1997 None
1996 Matt Crenson (Dallas Morning News)
1995 Nathan Seppa (Wisconsin State Journal)
1994 Scott LaFee (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Scholarships: for undergraduate and graduate student scholarships, see the Cheryl L. Wase Memorial Scholarship, Matthew Tobin Cappetta Archaeological Scholarship, Student Excellence in Archaeology Scholarships, and Native American Scholarships.