Archie Carr Student Awards

The Archie Carr Student Awards are given in recognition of excellence in student research. The awards are presented to oral and poster presentations in the categories of biology (studies of turtles and their habitats) and conservation (assessment of threats, studies of threat reduction, management, policy etc), and the Awards ceremony has become a much anticipated event at the annual symposium. Beyond the recognition, award winners and runner-ups also receive a cash prize.

To be considered for the Archie Carr Student Award, students must self-nominate during abstract submission by checking the 'Archie Carr Award' box. To qualify as nominees, individuals must meet and follow the following criteria:

  1. Have conducted the research as a student and be within 12 months of graduation;

  2. Be the presenting author of the poster or presentation; and

  3. Be the first author of the poster or presentation.

Students can nominate themselves only once for the award at each symposium; students who are giving two presentations must decide at abstract submission which presentation will be considered for the award.

  • While Student Awards were given sporadically prior to 1990, the Awards program was formalized when Dr. Anders Rhodin offered the support of the Chelonian Research Foundation in 1990 and named the Award in honor of Archie Carr. For many years, Dr. Rhodin chaired the student judging committee and later served as a judge. Without his vision and commitment, it is unlikely the Awards program would exist in its current form. The ISTS gratefully acknowledges the long years of Dr. Rhodin’s service and the support of his foundation.

    See here for a history of the Archie Carr Student Award and here for more information about Dr Archie Carr.

The four winners of the Archie Carr Student Awards—two in biology and two in conservation, covering both poster and oral presentations in each category—will each receive a publication fee waiver from the academic journal PeerJ. This waiver, valued at USD $1,795 per award, can be applied to any future publication of the award winner’s choice.

Grassroots Conservation Award

One award will be given to the symposium presentation (poster or oral) that best demonstrates a positive contribution by a grassroots group or individual towards the conservation of marine turtles and/or their habitats. Presentations will be judged by 5 - 6 judges in a process similar to that undertaken for judging the Archie Carr Student Awards.

To be a candidate for the award, the presentation’s primary author must check the Grassroots Conservation Award box during abstract submission. They must also submit an explanation on how their group/organisation is having a positive impact on sea turtles and/or their habitats and meets the award eligibility criteria. The GCA Committee will review the abstracts and evaluate the eligibility of the nominees. Final judging decisions for the award will be made subsequent to viewing the actual oral and/or poster presentations given by candidates during ISTS Symposium43.

See here for more information about the Grassroots Conservation Award, who is eligible, and how to apply.

International Sea Turtle Society Awards

For more information about the International Sea Turtle Society Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement, Champions Award, and Ed Drane Award for Volunteerism, see here.