ALISE Diversity Travel Award to the ALISE Annual Conference 

This conference travel grant aims to increase diversity in LIS education/research and was awarded for the first time at the 2015 ALISE Annual Conference. It provides the opportunity to an individual who wishes to address issues of diversity through doctoral study or teaching as adjuncts to gain exposure to and network with LIS educators, scholars and doctoral students.  The award continues ALISE’s commitment to diversity, following its adoption of the ALISE Diversity Statement at the 2013 ALISE Annual Conference.

The winner will receive a stipend* of $750 to defray travel expenses, a complimentary registration to the conference, and a one-year student membership in ALISE. Applications for this grant/award are reviewed by the three current at-large members of the ALISE Board of Directors.

*stipend does not apply to virtual conferences

Previous Recipients

Committee

The selection committee is composed of the three at-large members of the Board of Directors who are not ALISE officers.

Chair and Board Liaison

Laura Saunders, Simmons University

2025 Sponsor

Sponsorship opportunities will be available soon for the ALISE Diversity Travel Award to the ALISE Annual Conference.

Award Criteria

  • The award is open to underrepresented LIS professionals and students whose experiences, research interests, and professional goals align with ALISE's diversity principles (see ALISE Diversity Statement).
  • Preference will be given to applicants who are not doctoral LIS students, nor hold an LIS PhD.
  • Recipient cannot receive both ALA Spectrum Scholarship and this award.

Winner Responsibilities

  • Assists and attends the Equity and Social Justice SIG panel session and SIG business meeting.
  • Commits to an additional 5 hours of ALISE activities which may include: Assisting with conference registration (as schedules permit); assisting with major sessions; assisting with business meeting, attending a board meeting, etc.
  • Is highly encouraged to participate in the ALISE Work-In-Progress Poster Session.
  • Engages with an assigned conference buddy during the conference.
  • Writes a 750-word article about their conference experiences for use by ALISE

Submission Requirements

  • Please describe your background (max. 50 words) in relation to the diversity characteristics outlined in the ALISE Diversity Statement.
  • Please describe your research or teaching goals related to diversity. (250-300 words)
  • Please describe how will you benefit from participation in the ALISE Annual Conference. (250-300 words)

Submission Process

All submissions must be completed through the ALISE 2025 submission system. 

First-time users will be required to create an account (separate from your www.alise.org account). Once created, return to the ALISE '25 submission page to log in. Once logged in, select 'Enter as an author'. Select the relevant track for your submission, ensuring you review all requirements prior to completing your submission.

Submission Deadline

March 28, 2025

Previous Winners

2024- Yi Wan, University of South Carolina
2023 - Ana Mae Cantel, Central Philippines University
2022 - Diogenes da Silva Santos, University of Missouri
2021 - Shannon Williams, Florida State University
2020 - Tae Hee Lee, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
2019 - Raymond Pun, California State University
2018 - Sangeeta Namdev Dhamdhere, Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce
2017 - No award given
2016 - Shaundra Walker, Georgia College 
2015 - Patrick Sifuentes, Dominican University