Award for Distinguished Contributions to Academic Knowledge in Forensic Psychology
Nominations are invited for the names of candidates to be considered for the Award for Distinguished
Contributions to Academic Knowledge in Forensic Psychology It is hoped that the award will be made
every year but in the event of there being no suitable nominations, no Award will be made.
The Award is open to any Full Member of the Division of Forensic Psychology. It is anticipated that the
nominee will be employed and/or hold an honorary contract or formal affiliation with a University, a
Research Unit or Research Grant authority.
Nominations should take the form of a narrative (1000 words maximum) highlighting the candidate’s
achievements and the grounds for proposing the candidate. This should be supplemented by full
curriculum vitae, the names and addresses of three potential referees, to include at least one work
colleague of the candidate who may be an employer and not necessarily a psychologist. If appropriate,
relevant supporting documentary evidence (e.g. write up on a previous non BPS award) may be
included.
Whereas the formal criteria for the Award are limited to any `distinguished contribution to
Academic knowledge in forensic psychology’, it is intended that this criterion will be interpreted
broadly and might include any of the following, by way of example:
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Publications in peer-reviewed journals, particularly publications that have had an impact on
practice, service delivery and/or theoretical developments. Publications are expected to be
focused on the study of forensic psychology and to have appeared in high quality peerreviewed journals, with a particular emphasis on publications with an international audience.
Evidence of international excellence in the advancement of forensic psychological theory.
Successful acquisition of grants and/or other forms of funding used to assist the advancement
of the academic knowledge base underpinning forensic psychology.
Leadership of an academic programme of study which can demonstrate evidence of attention to
sound psychological principles, and the advancement of the academic underpinnings of the
profession. Leadership is demonstrated by lead involvement in the development of an
academic programme of study.
Demonstrated excellence with the supervision of PhD level study. PhD level and not
practitioner-doctorates are emphasised here. The separate DFP professional practice award
would be more suitably demonstrated by the latter.
The Award Committee will consist of elected members of the Division of Forensic Psychology
Committee, including the Chair of the Division. The Committee will consider all submissions on the
basis of:
 originality,
 implications for the wider academic psychological field;
 international standing;
 the personal contribution of the candidate within their field of expertise,
 Overall evidence of achievement and recognition within the academic and/or student
community.
The Award Committee will have the opportunity each year to select one particularly distinguished
example of such contributions where an individual psychologist can be shown to have played an
outstanding role. As in the case of national honours, many equally worthy candidates will have to be
bypassed in any one year but, over a period of time the Award Committee will attempt to select
recipients as representatives of this distinguished award across the range of areas in which
psychological knowledge is researched.
The Award will confer life membership of the Division of Forensic Psychology and a commemorative
certificate will be presented to the recipient at the Annual Division of Forensic Psychology Conference.
The recipient will deliver an address at the Annual Conference. It is anticipated that there will be
instances where the award winner will be asked to represent the Division of Forensic Psychology at
either external or internal events in order to contribute to the Division’s aims through promoting the
contribution of forensic Psychology as a scientific discipline, enhancing professional identity and
upholding and enhancing professional standards. Such contributions may be at national or
international events.
Nominations should be submitted electronically, using the nomination form, to Courtney Rawle at the
Society’s office (mailto:dfpawards@bps.org.uk) no later than 30 April 2015. Nominations received
after this date will not be processed.