The American Association of Geographers (AAG) Paleoenvironmental Change (PEC) Specialty Group requests proposals for its 2024 student research competition. Awards will be given in two categories: Master’s/Undergraduate student and Ph.D. student.
 
For the 2024 competition, we are offering a cash prize ($400 for Ph.D. and Master’s/Undergraduate) to be used for direct costs associated with proposed research project (i.e., research travel, supplies, etc.); salaries or indirect costs are not allowed.
 
APPLICATIONS DUE 10 PM EST, Friday March 8, 2024
 
A panel of PEC board members (excluding student members) will evaluate the proposals on a 50-point scale based on the following:
 

1. Scientific Merit of the proposed research project, including originality of research, significance of the research to the PEC emphasis on Pleistocene and Holocene environmental change, quality of methods, and summary of anticipated results (30 points);
2. Organization and clarity of the proposal (5 points);
3. Qualifications of the student to successfully conduct proposed research project (10 points); and
4. Impact the award will have on applicant’s academic/professional career (5 points).

 
To apply for this competition, you must be a current member of both the AAG and the PEC Specialty Group and submit the following electronically in a single attached pdf file to Dr. Maegen Rochner ([email protected]) by 10 PM EST, Friday March 8, 2024. Please use 2024 PEC Student Research Competition as the subject line of your email:
 

1. Cover sheet (1 page, see below).
2. Research proposal (2-page, double-spaced, 12-point font, 1 inch margins that includes a brief summary for the proposed research, a rough timeline for the proposed research, an explanation of how the funding will contribute to the project, and references).
3. Abbreviated biographical sketch/CV, including research experience and past and existing grants/awards from other sources (1-page maximum).
4. Letter of support from student’s faculty advisor should be sent directly from the supervisor to [email protected]

 
2024 winners will be announced at the PEC Specialty Group business meeting held at the annual AAG meeting.

For additional information about this research competition, please contact:
 
Dr. Maegen Rochner
Department of Geographic and Environmental Sciences
University of Louisville
[email protected]

2024 AAG Paleoenvironmental Change (PEC) Specialty Group Student Paper and Poster Awards
The Paleoenvironmental Change Specialty Group sponsors three annual awards to encourage student participation in the annual meeting and to recognize outstanding student research.  Competition for the award is open to undergraduate and graduate students (including those who have defended their Ph.D. within the last year). 

​Categories:

• Poster
• Undergraduate/Masters Student Paper
• PhD Student Paper

Students are encouraged to submit to the appropriate award category. For example, students in the early stages of their masters or doctoral research should apply for the poster competition. Those students nearing the completion of their respective degrees should consider applying for the paper sessions. The student must be either the sole author or the primary author of the paper, and must be the presenter at the meeting.

Judging criteria include:

1. the significance and originality of the research question,
2. the creativity and the quality of the methodology,
3. the validity of the conclusions drawn from the results, and
4. the clarity of the presentation

 
If you wish to be considered for the award, please email this application form and a copy of the abstract to Dr. Maegen Rocher at [email protected]. Confirmation of receipt of your application will be sent by email.
 
DEADLINE: The application form and abstract must be received by the Friday March 8, 2024 deadline.
 
Dr. Maegen Rochner
Department of Geographic and Environmental Sciences
University of Louisville
[email protected]