Turner-Collins Award

The Turner-Collins Award encourages and recognizes efforts to promote interest in biology among African-Americans and Native-Americans using social insects and related material, by IUSSI-NAS members, or persons observed by them (for example, a non-member teacher).

This award is inspired by the work and advocacy of two African-American researchers. Charles H. Turner (1867-1923) was a noted student of social wasps, ants and bees. Margaret Collins (1922-1996) was a taxonomist and natural historian of termites. Both were dedicated to the promotion of the well-being and education of their fellow Black Americans. This award encourages scientists, students and community members associated with the IUSSI-NAS to use their special interests for humanitarian ends: improvement of public access to knowledge, especially among children, young people, and concerned parents in these historically excluded groups. Nominees do not have to be members of IUSSI and may be citizens of any country, so long as they have engaged or are actively engaged in projects that promote black and/or Native American representation in Social Insect Science somewhere in North America.

See the current call for nominations below.



Read the full call for nomination

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:
Turner-Collins Award
Due December 1, 2025

Purpose: To encourage and recognize efforts to promote interest in biology among African Americans and Native Americans using social insects and related material. Nature: The award shall consist of a certificate of recognition that can be listed among the outreach achievements valued by institutions of learning and employment. The awardees will be announced by December 30, 2025. The program is inspired by the work and advocacy of two African American researchers. Charles H. Turner (1867- 1923) was a noted student of social wasps, ants and bees. Margaret Collins (1922- 1996) was a taxonomist and natural historian of termites. Both were dedicated to the promotion of the well-being and education of their fellow Black Americans. This award encourages scientists, students and community members associated with the IUSSI- NAS to use their special interests for humanitarian ends: improvement of public access to knowledge, especially among children, young people, and concerned parents in these historically excluded groups.

Eligibility: The award will be given to people who have engaged or are currently engaged in impactful activities that increase Black and/or Native American representation in the field of Social Insect Science. These outreach activities should generally take place somewhere in North America (inclusive of Canada, the USA, and Mexico), though projects within the spirit of the award, but taking place in whole or in part outside of North America will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Non-IUSSI members and citizens of any country are eligible. Reviewable actions must have taken place within the last 5 years.

Nominations: Self nominations are encouraged. Each nomination packet should consist of a single PDF containing the following sections:

  1. Cover page – includes the following information about the nominee:
  1. Name of nominee
  2. Affiliation of nominee (e.g. institution and Department)
  3. Position (e.g. Graduate Student, Associate Professor, K-12 Teacher)
  4. Mailing address
  5. Email address
  1. One-page description of Turner-Collins related project that explicitly specifies:
  1. Inclusion of African-American and/or Native-American participants
  2. Magnitude of positive impact (Discuss the number of people affected and “quality” of positive impact)
  3. Duration of project (Was this a one-time event or a long-term initiative?)
  4. Level of specificity (To what extent is/was this project a successful effort to increase representation in the target population?)
  5. Mention if there was any collaboration with established organizations or individuals working towards DEIJ objectives (optional). For example: working with on-campus black student organizations, etc. The nominee must appreciably add value beyond what that organization was already doing without them.

  1. A letter of support, less than 2 pages, from one or more person(s) familiar with the project. This could be a student, a participant, an advisor, or other community member (non- confidential, to be included in the compiled PDF).

  2. An up-to-date CV or resumé of the applicant/nominee.

Additional documents, such as photographs or media reports of the project may be attached to the application but are not required.

Email compiled PDF document to iussi.nas.deij@gmail.com by December 1, 2025.