The Sharon Stephens Prize is awarded biennially for a junior scholar’s first book. The prize goes to a work that speaks to contemporary social issues with relevance beyond the discipline and beyond the academy.

Eligibility
Ethnographies and critical works in contemporary theory – single-authored or multi-authored but not edited collections – are eligible. The book should be a first monograph by a junior scholar, have been published in the last two years (copyright of 2019 or 2020), and may not have been previously submitted for this prize.

Jury
The jury for the prize is chaired by an AES councilor, with two or three other scholars as jury members.

Nominations
Letters of nomination must come from scholars; self-nominations and nominations from presses are not invited.

Announcements
Announcements regarding the deadlines and other specifics will be posted on this website, as well as through the Anthropology News “AES Section News” column and other email based publicity.

Submissions
Please send (1) nomination letter; (2) a hard copy of the book; and (3) either a PDF or e-book to each of the Sharon Stephens Prize jury members by the June 1st, 2021 deadline, to the addresses below. Books and letters of nomination must be received by the deadline for full consideration.

Jury Members:

Naveeda Khan (Chair)

Elizabeth Ferry

Sameena Mulla

Hoon Song