Please review the eligibility and selection criteria below.
The application period opens 15 January with a submission deadline of 15 March at 11:59 PM (EST).
Eligibility & Selection Criteria:
- Nominee(s) must adhere to the ASM Code of Conduct.
- Nominations must come from a current ASM member in good standing; self-nominations are acceptable.
- Nominees may be individuals or teams, and may be at any career stage or level of experience.
- Individuals may only receive the award one time.
- Awards will be given only in years when compelling and suitable nominations are available.
Application Requirements:
- Name and contact details of the nominator(s).
- Name and contact details of the nominee(s).
- A 1-page cover letter explaining the relationship of the nominator to the nominee(s) and providing a brief overview of the nominee’s contributions to accessibility, inclusivity, diversity, and multiculturalism of our discipline or of our Society.
- Itemized account (maximum 3 pages) of activities for the person/group nominated. Each item should include dates and a brief explanation of the activity (3-4 sentences), highlighting the nature of impact it has had on inclusivity, diversity, multiculturalism, and/or equity in the field of mammalogy or the American Society of Mammalogists. “Activities” may be broadly interpreted and could include service, courses taught, presentations, research, and outreach. This list is not exhaustive—any activity that you feel is relevant to this award may be included. For as many of the activities as possible, please include supporting links or materials (e.g., syllabi, webpages, publications, informational documentation, etc.) that will aid the committee in assessing the nominee’s contributions.
J. Mary Taylor Award
The J. Mary Taylor Award was developed collaboratively by the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Bias Committee (formerly the Human Diversity Committee) and the ASM Office of the Ombudspersons, and honors our first female president, Dr. J. Mary Taylor (President 1982–1984). Mary’s leadership for the Society and the institutions she lead exemplifies our commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and equity within the field of mammalogy. This award recognizes the impact of an individual or a team through contributions that promote and improve the accessibility, inclusivity, and diversity of our discipline or of our Society.
Mary Taylor (1931–2019) broke barriers throughout her career. She was a consummate mammalogist and deeply committed to both the ASM and to her students, graduate and undergraduate alike. She was noted for her sound fiscal planning and her groundbreaking research as a field and museum biologist. Among her positions, she served as Professor of Zoology and Director of the Cowan Vertebrate Museum at the University of British Columbia, Executive Director of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Chairperson of the IUCN Rodent Specialist Committee, and Vice President of the Association of Science Museum Directors. We remember her fondly for her leadership, her “can do” personality, and friendship within the ASM. In recognition of her accomplishments, she was awarded Honorary Membership in 2001. For additional details on Mary’s life and accomplishments see Horner et al. (1996) and Woolley (In press).
