Best Essay Prize

Our students produce work throughout their careers that deserves recognition, and CSWGS honors exceptional works through the Best Essay Prizes for Undergraduates and Graduates. Submissions are accepted in the spring semester for work completed in the prior calendar year (for example, work from spring 2016 and fall 2016 may be submitted for consideration in spring 2017). Please forward submissions in campus mail to CSWGS MS-38, or via e-mail to cswgs@rice.edu.

Undergraduate Awards

The CSWGS Best Essay Prize is awarded annually for the best essay on a topic addressing women's, gender, and/or sexuality issues written by an undergraduate student in an SWGS (or non-SWGS) course.
For 2024-2025, papers are eligible if completed in spring 2024, fall 2024, or spring 2025. Students may self-nominate.
Wikipedia entries will also be accepted as nominated pieces.
NOTE: Prizes will be awarded in two (2) categories:
Best essay under 10 pages receiving a $100 prize
Best essay over 10 pages receiving a $150 prize
Submissions should include a copy of the student's paper. (Letters of nomination are NOT required.)

Graduate Awards

The CSWGS Best Essay Prize is awarded annually for the best essay on a topic addressing women's, gender, and/or sexuality issues written by a graduate student in an SWGS (or non-SWGS) course.
Also, in lieu of an essay written as part of a course, faculty may nominate a chapter from a graduate student's dissertation in progress.
For 2024-2025, papers are eligible if completed in spring 2024, fall 2024, or spring 2025. Students may self-nominate.
NOTE: A $250 prize will be awarded in one (1) category:
Best essay between 15-30 pages (inclusive of notes and bibliography), OR Best dissertation chapter.
Submissions should include a copy of the student's paper or dissertation chapter. (Letters of nomination are NOT required.)