BCPSA recognizes outstanding scholarship through three undergraduate essay awards, two book prizes, and a conference-paper prize. These competitions encourage and reward work by students and members of the association. Awards are announced and celebrated at the BCPSA Conference and Annual General Meeting in May each year.
Submission dates and procedures TBA
Geoffrey Weller Prize
This award honours the best political science book by a British Columbia author or authors, published within the preceding two years. Edited collections are excluded. Books may address any political science topic; the prize recognizes the research and scholarship of BC faculty.
- Nominations: Authors nominate their own books, following the self-nomination procedure to appear on this page.
- Adjudication: A committee of former BCPSA presidents selects the recipient.
Lynda Erickson Prize
This biennial award honours an outstanding edited political science book by a BC author or authors, published within the preceding two years. It recognizes the research and synthesis contributed by edited collections, in any area of the discipline. Both single-editor and collaborative volumes are encouraged.
- Nominations: Editors nominate their own volumes by contacting the BCPSA president (fred.cutler@ubc.ca).
- Eligibility: For editorial teams spanning BC and other institutions, at least half of the editors must be affiliated with BC institutions.
- Adjudication: A committee of former BCPSA presidents selects the recipient.
Marjorie Griffin Cohen Prize
For the two outstanding papers presented at the BCPSA annual meetings in the current year. The prize honours Marjorie Griffin Cohen as an essayist, activist and public intellectual, and reflects the association's support for critical scholarship.
- Eligibility: Authors must submit and present their paper at the BCPSA Annual General Meeting.
- Submission: A revised paper must reach the BCPSA President within three weeks of the meetings.
- Adjudication: The President organizes the selection committee.
Submission details will appear here in January 2027