History of the prize
The award was established in 2013 by Professor Neil Smith, elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 1999 and Emeritus Professor of Linguistics at University College London. This prize was first awarded in 2014.
Eligibility
a) Eligible nominations can be for a linguist of any nationality whose career has demonstrated the highest standards of achievement and scholarship.
b) Preference will be given to theoretical linguists, though all linguists will be eligible.
How to nominate
Nominations for the Neil and Saras Smith Medal are currently open and may only be made by Fellows of the British Academy. Entries should be submitted electronically to [email protected] and should state in the email subject line "Nomination 2023 Neil and Saras Smith Medal".
In the body of the email, clearly state:
- Name of nominee
- Nominee’s position/institution and email address
- Nominee’s principal area of academic distinction
- Supporting statement (250 words)
- Nominator’s name and your British Academy Section
- Declaration of any institutional or personal interest
The deadline for submissions is 31 January 2023. Submissions received after this date will not be considered.
Nominations will be reviewed, and the winner selected, by the Neil and Saras Smith Medal’s panel:
Professor David Adger FBA
Professor Robyn Carston FBA (Chair)
Professor Caroline Heycock FBA
Professor Elena Lieven FBA
Professor Bencie Woll FBA
If you have any queries submitting a nomination please email [email protected]
2022 winner
Professor Sheila Blumstein has been awarded the 2022 Neil and Saras Smith Medal for her outstanding contributions to linguistics. The prize panel described Professor Blumstein as “a remarkable and exceptional researcher” who is undertaking pivotal work that spans the humanities and social sciences, and an excellent role model for women in the field.
Professor Sheila Blumstein is Professor Emerita of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences at Brown University.
Previous winners
2021 Professor Marianne Mithun, UC Santa Barbara
2020 Professor Paul Kiparsky FBA, Stanford University
2019 Professor Deirdre Wilson FBA, University College London
2018 Professor Barbara H. Partee FBA, University of Massachusetts Amherst
2017 Professor Bernard Comrie FBA, University of California, Santa Barbara
2016 Sir John Lyons FBA, University of Cambridge
2015 Professor William Labov, University of Pennsylvania
2014 Professor Noam Chomsky FBA, Massachusetts Institute of Technology