Walter Sullivan Award for Excellence in Science Journalism – Features

The Walter Sullivan Award for Excellence in Science Journalism – Features is given annually to an individual journalist or a group of journalists in recognition of a feature story or series in any medium, except books, that makes information about the Earth and space sciences both accessible and interesting to non-scientists.

Scientific Disciplines represented by AGU

• Atmospheric and Space Electricity
• Atmospheric Sciences
• Biogeosciences
• Cryosphere Sciences
• Earth and Planetary Surface Processes
• Education
• Geodesy
• GeoHealth
• Geomagnetism, Paleomagnetism and Electromagnetism
• Global Environmental Change
• Hydrology
• Informatics
• Mineral and Rock Physics
• Natural Hazards
• Near-Surface Geophysics
• Nonlinear Geophysics
• Ocean Sciences
• Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology
• Planetary Sciences
• Seismology
• Science and Society
• Space Physics and Aeronomy
• Study of the Earth’s Deep Interior
• Tectonophysics
• Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology

Honor Benefits

• Recipients receive the following:
  • A $5,000 prize
  • An engraved award
  • Recognition in Eos
  • Recognition at AGU’s annual meeting the year the honor is awarded
  • Travel expenses up to $1,000 to attend AGU’s annual meeting the year the honor is awarded
  • Two tickets per winner to the Honors Banquet at AGU’s annual meeting the year the honor is awarded

Financial Incentives

• Five percent participation from primary affiliated members – $1,000 contribution from AGU to your section
• Seven percent participation from primary affiliated members – $2,000 contribution from AGU to your section
• 10 percent participation from primary affiliated members – $3,000 contribution from AGU to your section
• 12 percent participation from primary affiliated members – $4,000 contribution from AGU to your section
• 15 percent or greater participation from primary affiliated members – $5,000 contribution from AGU to your section

Eligibility Criteria

• Nominee
  • The nominee must be:
    • a journalist(s) working in any medium, except books
    • a sole author or team of up to four contributors; this may include contributors to audio visual components
    • an author employed in one of the following arenas:
      • Print or electronic publication
      • Broadcast or cable station, or a broadcast network
      • Freelance journalist
    • AGU membership is not required
• Nominators
  • AGU membership is not required
  • Self-nominations are permitted

Criteria for a Successful Nomination

• Nominees are evaluated on the following:
  • The Sullivan Award recognizes excellence in writing and reporting a feature that:
    • brings timely information or concepts about AGU sciences to the public’s attention,
    • identifies and corrects misconceptions about AGU sciences, or
    • makes AGU sciences accessible and interesting to general audiences without sacrificing accuracy.
  • The selection committee also considers accuracy, initiative, originality, and clarity.
  • Eligible feature stories must be about one or more of the scientific Disciplines represented by AGU.
• Note:
  • If an individual has multiple works nominated for a single award, AGU staff will contact the nominee to ask which they’d prefer to advance for consideration. Individuals may only submit one work for consideration for an award.