In July, 2020, the ISPP Governing Council decided to rename the Erik Erikson Early Career Award to honor Prof. Jim Sidanius. Dr. Sidanius was an early member and consistent contributor and promoter of ISPP, and encouraged generations of his students and collaborators to join ISPP. Dr. Sidanius has spent his career making enormous contributions to the fields of political and social psychology, African American studies, sociology, and political science. He is known especially for his work with Felicia Pratto on Social Dominance Theory, which is considered by many to be the most influential idea for understanding the origins and persistence of ethnic conflict in human systems around the world and over time. Dr. Sidanius has trained dozens of political psychologists, and his work to develop their careers makes renaming the early career in his honor award quite fitting.
The Early Career Award has been given since 1982. The Award recognizes and celebrates exceptional achievement and is awarded to an individual who is a member of ISPP and within a decade of receiving their Ph.D. The list of recipients of the Early Career Award is a compendium of those who are among the most prominent leaders in political psychology today.
How to Nominate:
Nominees must be current ISPP members and within 10 years of having received their PhD. All nominations must include the following: An argument as to why he/she deserves the award and a CV of the nominee. To complete a nomination, simply send these materials to the Committee Chair by the deadline.
The award recipient will be strongly encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting and Awards Reception.
2023 Award Committee:
Chair: Amanda Bittner (Memorial University)
Committee: Ann Crigler (University of Southern California)
THE NOMINATION PROCESS FOR 2024 is CLOSED! The deadline for nominations was extended to 15 February 2024.
Winners will be notified by early April 2024.
Current Winners
Jim Sidanius Early Career Award
Aleksandra Cichocka, University of Kent
Aleksandra Cichocka is a distinguished Professor of Political Psychology and the MSc Political Psychology Programme Director.
Completing her PhD in Psychology at the University of Warsaw in 2013, Aleksandra Cichocka's pursuit of knowledge led her to become a Fulbright Fellow at New York University during her doctoral studies. Her academic journey brought her to Kent, where she now leads the renowned Political Psychology Lab.
Dr. Cichocka's research delves into the profound impact of self-perceptions and group affiliations on political attitudes and behaviors. From investigating the links between narcissism and political beliefs to exploring collective narcissism's social and political implications, her work offers valuable insights into contemporary political dynamics.
The Jim Sidanius Early Career Award recognizes Aleksandra Cichocka's groundbreaking contributions and sets the stage for a promising and influential career in political psychology. Her dedication to advancing knowledge in this field continues to inspire researchers and students alike.
Past Winners
- 2023 Aleksandra Cichocka
- 2022 Laura K. Taylor
- 2021 Mark Brandt and Nour Kteily
- 2020 Joshua David Kertzer
- 2019 Pazit Ben-Nun Bloom and Ryan Enos
- 2018 Shose Kessi and Johanna Vollhardt
- 2017 Michael Bang Petersen
- 2016 Matt Levendusky and Martijn van Zomeren
- 2015 Christopher F. Karpowitz and Rune Slothuus
- 2014 Chris Sibley
- 2013 Daphna Canetti and Phillip Hammack
- 2012 Eran Halperin and Peter Hatemi
- 2011 Cindy Kam
- 2010 Jennifer Jerit and Tom Rudolph
- 2009 Not Awarded
- 2008 Linda Tropp
- 2007 Christopher Federico
- 2006 Jamie Druckman
- 2005 Nicholas Valentino
- 2004 John Jost and Howard Lavine
- 2003 Mark Schafer
- 2002 Thomas Nelson and Tali Mendelberg
- 2001 Barbara Farnham
- 2000 Rose McDermott
- 1999 Wendy Rahn
- 1998 Not Awarded
- 1997 Paul t’Hart
- 1996 Yuen Foon Khong
- 1995 Jon A. Krosnick
- 1994 Kathleen M. McGraw
- 1993 Ofer Feldman
- 1992 Peter Carnevale
- 1991 Deborah Larson
- 1990 Ruth Linn
- 1989 Shawn W. Rosenberg
- 1988 Steven Kull
- 1987 Philip E. Tetlock
- 1986 Virginia Sapiro
- 1985 James S. Fishkin
- 1984 Andrew B. Schmookler
- 1983 Michael G. Billig
- 1982 Gerda Lederer
