CSA Betty Kirke Excellence

in Research Award

The Betty Kirke Excellence in Research Award recognizes exceptional scholarship. It is given every year to the author(s) of one abstract proposal accepted at the annual symposium. It is open to all CSA members who conduct research from different perspectives and advance knowledge in the areas of studies covered by CSA. The Abstract Committee for each symposium selects the winning abstract proposal before the symposium based on the highest rated selection in the peer-reviewed process.


The author(s) of the research receive a $750 honorarium and a day-of-presentation registration fee (and up to $600 if travel to an in-person symposium is possible), endowed by Mrs. Betty Kirke and managed through the CSA Endowment. The funds will be divided and distributed evenly amongst the authors.


The award was established in 2015 and is named for its contributor, Mrs. Betty Kirke, who had careers as a fashion designer, costume conservator and author in New York City. Her book, Madeleine Vionnet, generated one of the most fascinating and unconventional assessments of a designer’s mind and won CSA’s Millia Davenport Publication Award in 1999. Her careful measuring of distorted garments cut on the bias led to the production of multiple patterns that were then analyzed to produce new knowledge on Vionnet’s approaches, unattainable through traditional research.


  • Eligibility

    To be eligible for an award:

    • the author(s) of an abstract must be CSA member(s) at the time of the abstract due date
    • one or multiple authors must send an abstract proposal to an annual symposium (please follow instructions and deadlines to comply to this requirement)
    • when an abstract is selected, one or multiple authors must present it in person at the symposium
    • abstracts for Completed Research Presentations (Research, Design-Based, Project-Based) and Design Exhibitions will be considered.

  • Requirements

    Abstracts will be evaluated using the following criteria:

    • topic is original and will add to the body of knowledge in the field
    • purpose is clearly stated and accomplished
    • research methods are appropriate to the purpose
    • research sources are varied
    • conclusion is clearly articulated

    Click here to view the evaluation rubric.


    The abstracts that scored in the top 5% that were submitted to the symposium by CSA members are eligible for consideration to the Betty Kirke Research Award. The winning recipient, as evaluated by three reviewers, guided by the rubric, will be notified prior to the conference.


    The form for submitting extended proposals will be sent to eligible applicants in mid-December, 2023.

  • Award Schedule

    The Abstract Submittal/Application Deadline for the Annual Meeting is October 15, 2023.  By mid-December, 2023, the submitters of abstracts that score in the top 5% will be notified to submit additional materials with a deadline of January 15, 2024.  The committee will make the final selection and send notifications by February 15, 2024. The certificate, honorarium, and travel stipend will be presented at the symposium.

Contact CSA's National Office

for more information.

Contact CSA's National Office

Recipients

2023

Tina Bates


Ottawa, ON, Canada

2022

Patricia Edmonson


Cleveland, Ohio

2021

Katie Knowles


Fort Collins, Colorado

2020

Kate Burnett Budzyn


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2019

Denise N. Green and Patrizia Sione


Cornell University

2018

Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell


Glendale, California

2017

Dr. Claire Nicholas


Lincoln, Nebraska

2016

Dr. Lynn Sorge


Halifax, Novia Scotia, Canada

Share by: