***The call for nominations for SIGCHI Awards and Special Recognitions and the SIGACCESS/SIGCHI Vicki L. Hanson Emerging Researcher Award for Computing Accessibility are open until October 31 and November 14 AoE, respectively.***
The SIGCHI Awards identify and honor leaders and shapers of the field of human-computer interaction within SIGCHI. We currently present awards in six categories:
SIGCHI Lifetime Research Award
SIGCHI Lifetime Practice Award
SIGCHI Lifetime Service Award
SIGCHI Societal Impact Award
SIGCHI Outstanding Dissertation Award
Induction into the SIGCHI Academy
The descriptions and criteria for these awards are given below. Awards typically come with travel support to attend the year’s CHI conference. Awardees are recognized at the conference, and receive two complimentary passes (for themselves and a guest) to attend the annual SIGCHI awards banquet. The following pages contain additional useful information:
Awards criteria (and special criteria for the Dissertation Award)
With the 2027 cycle, SIGCHI and SIGACCESS have together established the Vicki L. Hanson Early Career Research Award in Computing Accessibility. The Vicki L. Hanson Award identifies and honors early-career researchers who have made significant contributions toward the accessibility of computing systems. Research in this area contributes new methods, systems, empirical findings, and theoretical insights that improve access to computing and digital technologies for people with disabilities and older adults. Accessibility research strengthens the broader computing discipline by advancing inclusive design, usability, human-centered methods, and equitable participation in technology. For more information, see the detailed description of the Vicki Hanson Award and its rationale.
With the 2025 cycle, we started inviting SIGCHI Special Recognitions to celebrate and honor individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the field of HCI in ways that may not be fully captured by our existing awards. Special recognitions can be for individuals or groups. Some possible special recognitions include the following, but this is NOT an exhaustive list:
Emerging Researcher Recognition: For students who have completed at least two years of graduate education, have shown passion, enthusiasm, and commitment to impactful HCI research, and demonstrated dedication to building community within SIGCHI, at any level
Excellence in HCI Education: For researchers and practitioners who have made outstanding contributions to HCI curricula or pedagogy that improve the quality and reach of HCI education
Community Building and Outreach: For researchers and practitioners who have built strong and reciprocal relationships with communities and community-based organizations, through which they have amplified the social impact of their research and/or practice
Significant Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion in HCI: For researchers and practitioners who have shown strong leadership in advancing diversity and inclusion in the SIGCHI community, demonstrated by clear positive impacts on meaningful participation in the field
Impactful Industry-Academia Collaboration: For researchers and practitioners who have forged strong collaborations between industry and academic organizations towards more impactful, creative, and sustainable HCI research and/or practice
Lifetime Achievement in HCI Mentorship: For researchers and practitioners who have dedicated significant time, knowledge, and energy to consistent and quality mentorship of early career members of the HCI community, whether through direct relationships or infrastructures that support mentorship
Breakthrough in HCI Theory: For researchers and practitioners who have made outstanding, impactful, and lasting theoretical contributions in HCI research
These special recognitions will help us identify new permanent awards to propose for future cycles.