Sam Taylor-Alexander Early Career Researcher Prize for Ethics and Engagement within Anthropology

Samuel Taylor-Alexander (1986-2019) was an anthropologist of science and medicine from Tāmaki Makaurau. Sam trained in social anthropology at the University of Auckland, did his PhD (2012) at the Australia National University, and was a visiting fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Building on twelve months of ethnographic research in a Mexico City hospital, his doctoral work explored the medical aspirations and forms of nation-making at stake in Mexican reconstructive surgery. A subsequent book, On Face Transplantation, explored how face transplant surgery mobilised distinct national imaginaries to generate both medical outcomes for patients, and broader political changes. After graduating Sam worked as a teaching fellow at the University of Auckland, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh’s Mason Institute for Life Sciences and the Law, and a Research Fellow in Monash University’s Health and Biofutures Programme. Throughout his career, Sam was recognised for his collegiality; for taking time to support students and junior scholars; and for his intellectual enthusiasm and love of ideas. 

This award is inspired by these qualities. The decision to create this award for students and Early Career Researchers (ECRs) with no requirements for how prize money is spent is in recognition of Sam’s passion for social and distributive justice.

  • Ruth has dedicated many years to exploring the lived realities of neurodivergence and disability, and has worked with great care to translate that knowledge into institutional and social change. Ruth’s nomination letters describe her as a “beloved” member of the Massey community, whose “commitment to students has become legendary”. These vital commitments unfold alongside a rich creative and intellectual practice, perfectly mirror the spirit of this award. The prize panel, which comprised Susan Wardell (Otago), Rebekah Senanayake (VUW, 2023 recipient), Revena Correll Trnka (VUW, 2023 recipient), and Courtney Addison (VUW), were unanimous in agreeing that Ruth should receive this award.  

    For those interested in further understanding and supporting neurodivergent learners, Ruth recommends the podcast No Such Thing as Normal. She has also developed a fabulous series of YouTube videos on skills like academic reading, note taking, and interpreting assignments.

  • This year the award panel made the exceptional decision to award two prizes.

    Revena Trnka’s referee described them as an inspiring and generous tutor, whose ethic of care and commitment to accessibility reaches beyond the university, into the context of community theatre. Revena’s research also materialises inclusive and accessible design through thoughtful methodological choices and their own scholarly conduct. 

    Rebekah Senanayake holds the respect of her peers, students, and departmental colleagues alike. Her referee commended her devotion to her students, and her role in welcoming and connecting newcomers to her department. She has also built her politics into her research practice through the use of decolonising and indigenous ethics frameworks. 

  • The award recognises Imogen's deep care for her cohort and participants, and her attunement to questions of equity, social justice and solidarity in her research, tutoring, and wider life.

  • Tarapuhi’s nominators celebrated her intellectual generosity; her ability to both support and hold accountable the people around her; her commitment to a more ethical and inclusive pedagogy; and a pursuit of radical accessibility. Her work manifests through the Tātoutātou collective, policy engagements, her professional work, and the MahiTahi initiative.

2026 Call for nominations

We invite nominations of Students and Early Career Anthropologists (ECR) from around Aotearoa for the Sam Taylor-Alexander ECR Prize for Ethics and Engagement within Anthropology. 

The prize aims to recognise the everyday ethical labour and engagement that is continually practiced in, and essential to, the academy, and in doing so, to foster a culture of allyship, social justice, and generosity within Aotearoa/New Zealand anthropology. We invite nominations of students and precariously employed ECRs who demonstrate a spirit of intellectual generosity, social justice, academic kindness, and/or solidarity. These may be evident in a nominee’s personal conduct, research focus, teaching practice, or activities beyond the university. While first year postgraduate students may apply, we particularly encourage applications from those who have begun or completed ethnographic fieldwork. Research quality and intellectual merit are not central considerations for this Prize, as these are recognised by other awards. 

The focus of the award is inspired by Sam Taylor-Alexander’s reputation for collegiality, generosity of time and thought, and mentorship of junior scholars while he himself was precariously employed. The decision to create this award for students and ECRs with no requirements for its use is in recognition of Sam’s passion for social and distributive justice.  

Value

$1000, to be used however the recipient sees fit. 

Eligibility

The prize is open to:  

  • Students undertaking postgraduate studies in Anthropology (and closely aligned disciplines) at any university in Aotearoa; and

  • Early Career Researchers (ECRs), here defined as someone carrying out teaching or research in anthropology without the security of a permanent employment contract (including postdoctoral research, research associates, research assistants, tutors, teaching fellows, assistant lecturers, or lecturers on short term contracts), or recent doctoral graduates yet to secure such work

  • ASAA/NZ membership is not required, but on acceptance of this award recipients are encouraged to become paying members.

Procedure

  • Nominations will be accepted from the applicants themselves, their peers (i.e. their study cohort or colleagues), or by a faculty member

  • To nominate a person, please download and complete the nomination form (below) and submit it along with the nominee’s CV and a supporting letter of recommendation from a faculty member.

  • Those wishing to submit a nomination are advised to give faculty members a considerate amount of notice to write their letter (no less than a fortnight), and to provide the nomination materials (CV and form) to assist them with letter writing.

  • Submit application material to bronwyn.isaacs@waikato.ac.nz by Friday 20 November 2026.

Sam Taylor-Alexander ECR Prize nomination form

Submissions are typically evaluated by a panel of three people, including the previous year’s recipient and two academic staff members. The decision will be announced at the annual conference, but recipients will be notified earlier. Attendance at the conference, though encouraged, is not required in order to receive this award.