Awards Overview

Theory Prize

The Theory Prize is given to recognize outstanding work in theory. In even-numbered years, it is given to a book, and in odd-numbered years, to a paper; in both cases, eligible items are those published in the preceding four calendar years.

​Junior Theorist Award

The Junior Theorist Award honors the best paper each year submitted by an early-career sociologist. The winner is to present a keynote address at the Junior Theory Symposium the year after the award is given.

Best Student Paper Award

The Best Student Paper recognizes distinguished work in theory by a graduate student. Work may take the form of (a) a paper published or accepted for publication; (b) a paper presented at a professional meeting; of (c) a paper suitable for publication or presentation at a professional meeting.  (Formerly the Edward Shils - James Coleman Award)

​Lewis Coser Award

The ASA Theory Section the Lewis A. Coser Award for Theoretical Agenda Setting annually. This prize is intended to recognize a mid-career sociologist whose work holds great promise for setting the agenda in the field of sociology. While the award winner need not be a theorist, her or his work must exemplify the sociological ideals that Lewis Coser represented. Eligible candidates must be sociologists or do work that is of crucial importance to sociology.