Awards

The Association for the Study of Food and Society proudly confers five awards for recognition of outstanding scholarship in the field of food within the social sciences, humanities, and related disciplines. Submissions in the sciences, arts, and other disciplines that deal with food are welcome if they discuss food as it relates to culture and society.

For all prizes

  • Membership in the ASFS is not required (except pedagogy) and there is no fee for nominating a book, syllabus, or article
  • Applicants may self-nominate
  • Three anonymous judges representing different disciplines will assess the entrants
  • The awards administrators have no input on the final decision
  • If outstanding scholarship is not identified, an individual award may not be given in a particular year
  • Deadlines: February 1 (except Pedagogy award). Late submissions cannot be considered.

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The ASFS Book Award recognizes an outstanding book about food published within the last two years. The book should employ exemplary research methods, offer novel theoretical insights and constitute a significant contribution to the study of food from a scholarly perspective. Books that suggest new questions and new avenues of food research for future scholars are encouraged to apply. Writing style, organizational rigor, and a strong thesis will also be criteria for this award. A cash stipend of $500 accompanies the award. ASFS Book Award Submissions Guidelines

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The Belasco Prize for Scholarly Excellence recognizes a peer-reviewed article published in the last two years, which exhibits superior research, a unique perspective and methodological approach as well as novel insights for the study of food. Clear and effective writing as well as a persuasive thesis are also criteria for this award. A $300 cash stipend accompanies the award. Belasco Prize for Scholarly Excellence Submissions Guidelines

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The Food, Culture & Society Award is given to the article published in ASFS’s journal over the last calendar year that best illustrates the ASFS mission promoting food studies through research, methodology, and expanding areas of investigation or though. This award is chosen by the journal editor. Submissions are not solicited. ($300 award.)


The ASFS Award for Food Studies Pedagogy is given to the teacher of food studies in any discipline who presents a course that uses innovative and successful pedagogical techniques to reach students. These may include classroom exercises and assignments as well as outside projects, trips, and service activities. The course may be taught at the graduate or undergraduate level, for degree credit. Any ancillary evidence of exemplary teaching methods will also be accepted. A cash stipend of $200 accompanies this award. ASFS Award for Food Studies Pedagogy Submissions Guidelines

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In 2024, ASFS decided to end the student paper awards. GAFS now sponsors awards for the best dissertation and master’s thesis on a topic related to food studies.

Alex McIntosh Graduate Prize recognizes a student’s contributions to the fields of food studies. We welcome submissions on a wide range of issues relating to food, society, and culture, and from the diverse disciplinary and transdisciplinary fields that ASFS encompasses. Beginning in 2020, papers may be single-authored or multi-authored papers. The winner will receive $500. 

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Bill Whit Undergraduate Prize recognizes a student’s contributions to the field of food studies. We welcome submissions on a wide range of issues relating to food, society and culture, and from the diverse disciplinary and transdisciplinary fields that ASFS encompasses. The winner will receive $500. Beginning in 2020, papers may be single-authored or multi-authored papers.

To see the current and past winners from all prize categories, click here.