SIGCHI Awards FAQ

Nomination questions

Who can nominate someone for a SIGCHI award? Any member of the SIGCHI community can nominate a candidate for a SIGCHI award. Self-nominations are not accepted.

How long should my nomination summary be? Nomination summaries should be brief, typically no more than 1,000 words (approximately two pages). Summaries exceeding this length may disadvantage the candidate.

Should I include additional materials or links in my nomination? No, your summary should be self-contained. Do not assume that subcommittee members will review additional materials you may reference.

How should I structure my nomination? It's often helpful to include a paragraph or section for each award criterion, clearly stating which criterion you're addressing. Provide specific examples of how the candidate meets each criterion when possible.

Should I focus on quantitative metrics like publication counts or citation numbers? While these metrics can be mentioned, qualitative arguments about the candidate's impact and contributions are more effective. Focus on how the candidate's work has influenced the field, other researchers, or stakeholders.

How important is the candidate's activity in SIGCHI? For most awards (with some exceptions like the Lifetime Practice award), demonstrating the candidate's engagement in SIGCHI over the years is important and likely to bolster their case.

Specific Award Questions

What should I emphasize in a Lifetime Research Award nomination? Focus on the candidate's outstanding contributions to the study of HCI, highlighting their most fundamental and influential research contributions. Demonstrate their lifetime of innovation and leadership in the field.

For the Lifetime Practice Award, does the nominee need to have academic publications? No, there's no requirement for academic publications for this award. Focus on their outstanding contributions to the practice and understanding of HCI, and their influence on the field and industry.

What's unique about nominating for the Outstanding Dissertation Award? For this award, focus on contextualizing the contribution, explaining why the work is novel and unique, and speculating on its potential future impact. Discuss the dissertation work itself rather than the candidate's personal attributes.

How should I approach a SIGCHI Academy nomination? Clearly address each award criterion, providing specific examples. Go beyond quantitative metrics to articulate the candidate's impact on the field and influence on others' work. Demonstrate how they have shaped the disciplines and/or industry in HCI.

Endorsement Questions

Can I serve as both a nominator and an endorser for the same candidate? No, you should choose to be either a nominator or an endorser, not both.

If I'm on an award subcommittee, can I nominate or endorse candidates for that award? No, you cannot serve as an endorser or nominator for an award in the same subcommittee on which you serve. (You can, however, serve on a different subcommittee.)

Can I be given the award for a subcommittee I am serving on? No. You must recuse yourself if you are nominated for the award your subcommittee is managing. You can, however, be given an award managed by a different subcommittee.

Are there any conflicts of interest I should be aware of? Yes, there are several potential conflicts of interest. For example, advisors should not nominate their current students. For a comprehensive list, please refer to the ACM Conflict of Interest policy for awards.

Submission Process

When are nominations due? Nomination deadlines can vary from year to year. Please check the current year's announcement for the exact deadline.

Will I receive feedback if my nominee is not selected? As a general rule, SIGCHI does not provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates. This policy helps maintain the integrity of the selection process and ensures equal treatment of all nominees.

Can I update or revise my nomination after submission? Once submitted, nominations typically cannot be updated or revised. Ensure your nomination is complete and accurate before submitting.