Award Description

This award acknowledges the best student presentation of archaeological research in poster sessions. Student posters will be evaluated as electronic submissions made directly to the Student Poster Award committee. 

Who Is Eligible to Submit Nominations or Apply for the Award

All student members of SAA in good standing whose poster abstract has been accepted by the SAA for the upcoming annual meeting are eligible to participate. All co-authors must be students, and the first author must be a member of the SAA. All co-authors receive the award. 

Nomination/Submission Materials Required

March 29, 2026.  Electronic version of the poster submission must be received by the Committee Chair no later than this date. 

Other Special Requirements

Please submit a PDF file of your poster with all names and affiliations covered or removed to preserve anonymity. In addition, in order to be considered for the award, your faculty advisor must send an email in support of your submission to the Committee Chair by the deadline.

Prior to any award recommendation being finalized and publically announced, anyone recommended for an award, scholarship, or grant will be required to certify the following:

Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)

The awardee(s) receive a $750 prize from Cambridge University Press. The awardee(s) are also recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the business meeting held at the Annual Meeting, a citation in The SAA Archaeological Record, and acknowledgment on the awards page of the SAA Website. All co-authors receive and share the award.

Thank you to Cambridge University Press for their generous gift to make the award possible. 

Current Committee Charge

The committee selects student recipients for the Poster Award. The award is presented to recognize excellence in the dissemination of archaeological knowledge through a poster presentation. The award is designed to promote interest and acceptance of the poster in the dissemination of archaeological research, to increase the quality of poster presentations, and to acknowledge recognize excellence in this valuable medium.

Committee Composition

Committee composition is one chair and at least four members.

Term Length

Term length is three years. Individuals ending their terms cycle off the committee at the close of the Business Meeting held during the annual SAA Meeting, and new appointees begin their terms at this time. 

Award Cycle

N/A 

Committee Chair and End of Term

Amy Elizabeth Thompson [2027]

Committee Chair Contact Information

[email protected]

Committee Members and Ends of Terms

Names and term end dates for the chair and all members can be found on the committee page in the SAA Directory. 

Selection or Evaluation Criteria

Committee members evaluate papers anonymously, scoring them on a scale of 1-20 based on the following two weighted themes: presentation of information (40%) and the originality and significance of research (60%). Posters that receive high scores for presentation of information will have excellent graphics with large fonts and images, nice backgrounds, and good readability from at least one meter, precise text, and logical flow to the information. Posters that receive high scores for originality and significance of research should have focused problems, innovative solutions, rigorous methodologies, and contributions to the theme of the session."

Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)

The committee meets electronically after the submission deadline has passed.