The Norman Platnick Award for Taxonomic Research will be for outstanding early career PhD researchers (e.g., pre-tenure academics, postdoctoral researchers, early stage industry researchers). (PhD students who have not been awarded their degree will not be considered).

The award criteria will be based on the quantity and/or quality of taxonomic publications that have been published or have been accepted for publication. The main judging criteria will be that the applicant's publication record shows a strong commitment to morphological taxonomy. The quality of the research, and creativity in approach and dissemination that strives to keep taxonomy relevant, will also be considered. This award will also be judged on performance relative to timeframe/opportunity (e.g., the existing support available for an applicant’s research and/or relevant career interruptions due to other commitments or challenges will be taken into consideration).

The award honors the late Dr. Norman Platnick whose prowess and tenacity greatly advanced systematic research into spiders and other arachnids. The American Arachnological Society acknowledges the support of Dr. Platnick’s family in making this bequest.

Awardees will receive a certificate and a cash prize.

Nominations

Nominators should have thorough knowledge of the nominee's accomplishments and nominations must address all of the selection criteria listed below. Relevant career interruptions such as illness or caring responsibilities should be outlined clearly. Nominators can include the nominee themselves, a peer of the nominee who may be most aware of the nominee’s accomplishments and life-challenges, or those who have worked with the nominee (e.g., former advisor, department chair, supervisor). Self-nominees should secure a statement about their contributions to the field of morphological taxonomy from someone knowledgeable about their work.

All applications should be emailed before 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time on 19 July 2025 to the Panel Chair. Late applications will not be considered. Resubmission of updated nominations is encouraged.

Nominations must include:

• Nominee’s details: Name/Email/Position/Institution
• A statement that the nominee is aware they have been nominated
• Relevant career interruptions (if applicable)
• A response to the selection criteria:
  • Nominee’s contribution to taxonomic research (maximum 250 words)
  • Any other relevant information pertinent to the nominee’s standing in the field (maximum 250 words)
  • A short Curriculum Vitae that does not include publications (maximum 2 pages)
  • A complete list of publications with a short explanation of the significance of each and DOI links to each publication (each explanation should not exceed 75 words)
• Nominator’s details:
  • Name/Email/Institution/Position/Relationship to nominee

Selection Panel

Dr. Mark Harvey (Chair) mark.harvey@~@museum.wa.gov.au
Dr. Brent Opell
Dr. Cristina Rheims
Dr. Hannah Wood
Dr. Xin Xu