Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Symposium Student Awards

The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Symposium Student Awards recognize 3 outstanding student projects presented at the annual RIT WGSS symposium.

The 3 awards will be in the following amounts:

  • First Prize: $1,500
  • Second Prize: $1,000
  • Third Prize: $500

Projects may take a range of approaches, including research-based, creative works, community-based, and can be presented using multiple media and in different formats, such as traditional research papers, academic posters, digital displays and videos, poetry, visual and performing art, and material/physical objects.

Eligibility and Process

  • Open to currently enrolled RIT students (undergraduate and graduate), in any program and of any year.
  • Students presenting at the RIT WGSS symposium will opt into the prize competition either at the time of submission or before presentation at the symposium.
  • Project presentations will be evaluated at the symposium by members of the CLA Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program and select faculty as identified by members of the WGSS Program Council.
  • The awards are administered by the CLA Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program Council.
  • Winners are notified and presented with the awards within a maximum of 15 days after the symposium date.

Requirements

  • The student must be the primary presenter.
  • A project abstract and an application via the call for symposium proposal submissions are required.
  • The student must attend the symposium and be present at the session where the presentation occurs.

Selection Criteria

  • Originality and Significance: originality and creativity of the work, relevance of content to the symposium topic, and accuracy of presented information.
  • Structure and Organization: clear structure and organization of the content,  smooth flow of the presentation.
  • Impact and Clarity: conveys the main point(s) to both experts and non-specialists.
  • Engagement and Q&A: answers questions effectively, demonstrating a deep understanding of the topic.
  • Professionalism: preparedness and adherence to submission and presentation guidelines, including adhering to allotted time slots.

The WGSS Symposium Awards are made possible thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor.

WGSS Symposium Awards Winners

  • Kifekachukwu Nwosu, Computer Science/Women Gender and Sexuality Studies B.S., GCCIS and CLA, 1st prize
    “Religion as a Central Barrier to Queer and Women’s Liberation in Nigeria” (presentation)

  • Nidhi Bangera, Human-Computer Interaction M.S., GCCIS, 2nd prize
    “Exploring Gendered Biodiversity in US Children’s Cartoons” (presentation)

  • Isabella Terzoli, ASL-English Interpretation/Women Gender and Sexuality Studies B.S., NTID and CLA, 3rd prize
    “Misogyny in the Female Dominated Field of American Sign Language-English Interpreting” (poster)