The Association for the Rhetoric of Science, Technology, and Medicine (ARSTM) Book Award recognizes exceptional books that advance the rhetoric of science, technology, or medicine. Any book published in the preceding two years is eligible. For example, books eligible for the 2023 award would have been published in 2023 or 2022.
Criteria for evaluation are as follows:
1. How well the book extends or enacts practical and theoretical knowledge related to the rhetoric of science, technology, and medicine;
2. Its potential for cross-disciplinary fertilization and/or public engagement;
3. Its potential for teaching future generations of rhetoric of science, technology, and medicine scholars;
4. The accuracy, clarity, and organization of the book’s presentation;
5. The overall quality of writing and thinking.
Nominations should be sent by someone well acquainted with the nominee’s work; self-nominations are encouraged.
Judging follows a two-stage review process.
The initial nomination package must include an electronic copy of (1) a cover letter recommending the book for the award (limited to two pages and providing a detailed rationale for the nomination), (2) a table of contents for the book, and (3) the introduction and a single representative chapter from the book. These materials must be emailed to the chair of the selection committee by July 31, 2023.
Following a preliminary selection process, finalists will be notified by August 30. Full copies of manuscripts or published books that advance to the final round will be requested for delivery to each committee member by September 15. Winners will be notified by October 15 and announced during ARSTM@NCA 2023.
Recipients will be recognized at the ARSTM business meeting during the National Communication Association in November of the award year and will receive a plaque and a one-year membership in ARSTM.
While each book is eligible for two years after its publication date, in order to be considered a second time, the book must be re-nominated. Because awards committee members change each year, re-nomination requires resubmitting the nomination package. If you were a finalist in the previous year, full copies of the book will only be required for any new committee members, not the entire committee.
Note: Lead authors who have won previously cannot be nominated again within 5 years.
Send nomination packages electronically to Stephanie Larson, Chair of the Book Award Committee, at srlarson@andrew.cmu.edu. Nominations should be sent as a PDF email attachment and received by July 31, 2023.
Book Award Committee
The Committee is appointed every year by the ARSTM President; it will include at least one previous winner and two other members of ARSTM selected to ensure representation of the major fields of interest: science, technology, and medicine. The President will appoint committee members with experience writing, publishing, reviewing, and judging books in the field of rhetorical studies of science, technology, and medicine. One member of each year’s committee will be appointed to serve a two-year term—one year as a member and another as chair. If the winner has cause not to participate, the President will appoint an alternative person to serve a one-year term.
Members for 2023
Stephanie Larson (Chair), Assistant Professor, Carnegie Mellon University
Ian Hill, Associate Professor, University of British Columbia
Heidi Lawrence, Associate Professor, George Mason University