PAA 2026 Psychology Awards

Doctoral Dissertation Research Award

The Psychologists' Association of Alberta (PAA) invites members* who are doctoral-level students to self-nominate based on their doctoral dissertation if the research was in the field of psychology within one year immediately preceding award submission date. This is a monetary award ($300.00), together with a complimentary ticket to the PAA Awards Gala.

*Nominees do not need to be PAA members but must have been eligible to have been a PAA student member at the time that the research was completed. As part of the selection process, the PAA Awards Committee evaluates all nominations received. The evaluation will be based upon a maximum 750-word letter that should address one or more of the following criteria:

• Title of the Dissertation
• Research Methodology
• How the research purpose, approach, and implications contribute to psychology.
• How the findings contribute to the current literature in psychology.
• The potential of this research to contribute to the field of psychology.

ALL required application documents:

• Nomination Letter (details above)
• Dissertation Abstract
• 1–2 letters of support, one from a supervisor and one from a dissertation committee member, stating that most of the work and thought has been completed by the student.

Master’s Thesis Research Award

The Psychologists' Association of Alberta (PAA) invites members* who are masters-level students to self-nominate based on their master’s thesis if the research was in the field of psychology within one year immediately preceding award submission date. This is a monetary award ($300.00), together with a complimentary ticket to the PAA Awards Gala.

*Nominees do not need to be PAA members but must have been eligible to have been a PAA student member at the time that the research was completed. As part of the selection process, the PAA Awards Committee evaluates all nominations received. The evaluation will be based upon a maximum 750-word letter that should address one or more of the following criteria:

• Title of the Dissertation
• Research Methodology
• How the research purpose, approach, and implications contribute to psychology.
• How the findings contribute to the current literature in psychology.
• The potential of this research to contribute to the field of psychology.

ALL required application documents:

• Nomination Letter (details above)
• Thesis Abstract
• 1–2 letters of support, one from a supervisor and one from a dissertation committee member, stating that most of the work and thought has been completed by the student.

Undergraduate Thesis Award

The Psychologists' Association of Alberta (PAA) invites members* who are doctoral-level students to self-nominate based on their undergraduate thesis if the research was in the field of psychology within one year immediately preceding award submission date. This is a monetary award ($150.00), together with a complimentary ticket to the PAA Awards Gala.

*Nominees do not need to be PAA members but must have been eligible to have been a PAA student member at the time that the research was completed. As part of the selection process, the PAA Awards Committee evaluates all nominations received. The evaluation will be based upon a maximum 750-word letter that should address one or more of the following criteria:

• Title of the Thesis
• Research Methodology
• How the research purpose, approach, and implications contribute to psychology.
• How the findings contribute to the current literature in psychology.
• The potential of this research to contribute to the field of psychology.

ALL required application documents:

• Nomination Letter (details above)
• Thesis Abstract
• 1–2 letters of support, one from a supervisor and one from a dissertation committee member, stating that most of the work and thought has been completed by the student.

Excellence in Clinical Supervision Award

The Psychologists' Association of Alberta (PAA) invites nominations for the Excellence in Clinical Supervision Award. This non-monetary award is presented to an individual whose performance in supervising one or more individuals in any practice area of applied and/or practical supervision of clinical/counseling internship, practicum, or provisional psychologists, is deemed exemplary during the previous two-year period. This award is not for research supervision (for that, please see the PAA Teaching Award).

Nominees and nominators must be Alberta registered psychologists who are or are not members of PAA. Nominators may be professional colleagues, former/current students or supervisees of the nominee, or individuals familiar with the nominee’s practice. As part of the selection process, the PAA Awards Committee evaluates all nominations received. The evaluation will be based upon a maximum 750-word letter that should address one or more of the following criteria:

• Explain the nominee's availability for consultation, training, and emergencies.
• Explain the nominee's ability to align with: the supervisee’s needs and personal approach.
• Explain the nominee's ability to offer diverse and appropriate options for various assessments/treatment/ethical situations.
• Explain the nominee's knowledge in terms of psychological theory, techniques, approaches, and practical suggestions.
• Explain the nominee's ability to provide creative/flexible approaches to the delivery of supervision.
• Explain the nominee's ability to provide constructive feedback that is related to both corrective/critical appraisal and validation of good student practice.
• Explain the specific criteria used to nominate this individual, the approximate number of hours devoted to supervising, and the methods of supervision employed.
• Other contributions

These criteria are to guide the nominator in drafting a comprehensive and compelling nomination that showcases the nominee's achievements, contributions, and impact on their field or community.

Required supporting documents:

• Maximum 750-word Nomination Letter

Psychologist of the Year Award

The Psychologists' Association of Alberta (PAA) invites nominations for the Psychologists of the Year Award. This non-monetary award is presented to an individual who acknowledges significant achievement or contribution in the field of psychology during the previous two-year period. Nominations may be in the following categories:

• Advocacy
• Clinical/Counselling
• School/Educational
• Research
• Social
• Industrial/Organizational
• Developmental

Nominees and nominators must be Alberta registered psychologists who are or are not members of PAA.

Nominators may be professional colleagues, former/current students or supervisees of the nominee, or individuals familiar with the nominee’s practice. As part of the selection process, the PAA Awards Committee evaluates all nominations received. The evaluation will be based upon a maximum 750-word letter that explains how the nominee exhibits excellence in:

• The practice of psychology
• Ethical principles of psychologists
• Involvement and membership within local, provincial and/or national psychology organizations
• Advocacy for the profession
• Contribution to public welfare
• Awareness of psychology and mental health issues
• Explain how the nominee demonstrates professional responsibility, growth, and leadership within the profession.
• Outline if the nominee has received local, provincial, and/or national recognition.

These criteria are to guide the nominator in drafting a comprehensive and compelling nomination that showcases the nominee's achievements, contributions, and impact on their field or community.

Required supporting documents:

• Maximum 750-word Nomination Letter

Excellence in Teaching Psychology Award

The Psychologists' Association of Alberta (PAA) invites nominations for the Excellence in Teaching Psychology Award. This non-monetary award is presented to an individual who demonstrates "outstanding" teaching of psychology or academic research supervision of psychological research in an Alberta Government-approved/authorized institution for post-secondary education.

Nominees and nominators may or may not be PAA members. The nominator may be a teaching and/or professional colleague, former or current student, supervisor, or other individual familiar with the nominee's teaching.

As part of the selection process, the PAA Awards Adjudication Committee evaluates all nominations received based on a maximum 750-word letter that should address one or more of the following criteria statements:

• How the nominee has taught for a minimum of two years immediately preceding the award, one year of which may have been a sabbatical.
• How the nominee’s teaching is “outstanding” as manifested through any combination of the following:
  • Educational Methodology
  • Enthusiasm
  • Commitment to the subject of psychology
  • Commitment & dedication to students
  • Teaching innovation
  • Supervision of scholarly research

These criteria are to guide the nominator in drafting a comprehensive and compelling nomination that showcases the nominee's achievements, contributions, and impact on their field or community.

Required supporting documents:

• Maximum 750-word Nomination Letter

John G. Paterson Media Award

The Psychologists' Association of Alberta (PAA) invites nominations* for the PAA John G. Paterson Media Award. This non-monetary award is presented to an individual in recognition of significant media contributions that have advanced the public knowledge and profession of psychology during the previous two-year period.

As part of the selection process, the PAA Awards Adjudications Committee evaluates all nominations received. The evaluation will be based upon a maximum 750-word letter that should address one or more of the following criteria statements:

• How the nominee has exceptionally contributed to portraying psychological knowledge to the public, knowledge information and ideal related to or in promotion of psychology.
• How the nominee has furthered the advancement of the profession of psychology with the public through their contribution(s).
• How the nominee has conveyed psychological knowledge through the media of radio, television, print, or other technology such as social media, podcasts, and online videos.

These criteria are to guide the nominator in drafting a comprehensive and compelling nomination that showcases the nominee's achievements, contributions, and impact on their field or community.

Required supporting documents:

• Maximum 750-word Nomination Letter

Juanita Chambers Excellence in Community Service Award

The Psychologists' Association of Alberta (PAA) invites nominations* for the Juanita Chambers Excellence in Community Service Award. This non-monetary award is presented to an individual in recognition of important work in advancing psychological health, well-being, and quality of life for Albertans through service to the community or advocacy.

As part of the selection process, the PAA Awards Adjudications Committee evaluates all nominations received. The evaluation will be based upon a maximum 750-word letter that should address one or more of the following criteria statements:

• Contributes to the quality of life in the community through volunteer work.
• Advocates for improved quality of life for Albertans.
• Educates the community about the value of psychological health and advocates for those in the community who need support and/or community resources to improve their quality of life.
• Is a positive role model for others, contributes to the psychological health and well-being of the community.
• Contributes to enhancing the public perception of psychologists through community service.
• Explain how the nominee promotes social justice issues.

These criteria are to guide the nominator in drafting a comprehensive and compelling nomination that showcases the nominee's achievements, contributions, and impact on their field or community.

Required supporting documents:

• Maximum 750-word Nomination Letter

Pettifor Lifetime Achievement Award

The Psychologists' Association of Alberta (PAA) invites nominations* for the Pettifor Lifetime Achievement Award (Jean & Dick Pettifor Memorial). This non-monetary award is presented to an individual to recognize outstanding career achievements in, or contributions to, the field of psychology.

As part of the selection process, the PAA Awards Committee evaluates all nominations received. The evaluation will be based upon a maximum 750-word letter that should address one or more of the following criteria statements provided below. The objective of these questions is to guide the nominator in drafting a comprehensive and compelling nomination letter that highlights the nominee's achievements, contributions, and impact on their field or community. The Committee will use the information gathered from the nomination letters to select the most deserving candidate for the award.

Detail career achievements or contributions in the area(s) of:

• Clinical, research, advocacy, or academic psychological work
• Long-time enduring contributions to the field of psychology completed within the province of Alberta, or in broader national and international domains.
• Additional areas of outstanding service, including specific accomplishments.

These criteria are to guide the nominator in drafting a comprehensive and compelling nomination that showcases the nominee's achievements, contributions, and impact on their field or community.

Required supporting documents:

• Maximum 750-word Nomination Letter