Emerging Scholar Awards
The program recognizes both In-Person Emerging Scholars and Online-Only Emerging Scholars, ensuring that researchers unable to travel can still hold a visible and valued role in the conference. Across all formats, Emerging Scholars participate fully in the life of the event: they chair parallel sessions, help guide and sustain discussion, and serve as bridges between established and early-career colleagues from different regions, institutions, and disciplines.
As part of CGScholar’s Event (KX) environment, Emerging Scholars contribute to a wider knowledge experience that links conference activity, community engagement, and publication. Their work is shared through Presentation Pages, digital media, and discussion spaces; they receive structured support to develop their research through the Network’s journals and book imprint; and they gain sustained visibility within the worldwide scholarly community formed around the Research Network.
The Award includes complimentary conference registration and Research Network membership, along with formal recognition during the conference proceedings. Emerging Scholars enter a supportive, scholar-led community in which they can build connections across disciplines, regions, and generations of researchers. Professional development, mentoring encounters, and opportunities for collaboration are integrated into the conference and the Network’s year-round activities.
Award recipients are expected to: attend an orientation and training session (typically the day before the conference), and participate fully throughout the conference by fulfilling assigned chairing and discussion-leading responsibilities.
The Emerging Scholar Award is open to researchers currently enrolled in a graduate studies program or identifying as early-career scholars in a field relevant to the conference. Applicants should demonstrate strong potential for scholarly contribution and a commitment to participating in the collaborative ethos of the Network.
Participating in the conference as an Emerging Scholar was truly a memorable and enriching experience. The encouragement and support I received from both senior scholars and peers were incredibly inspiring.”
What I really enjoyed about participating in the conference as an emerging scholar was attending panel sessions that were not necessarily in my primary area of expertise or interest. Some of the presentations in the panels I moderated were in fact quite relevant to my surprise, and even the ones that weren’t were still super interesting and thought provoking, despite their disciplinary distance from my own research. I feel like I could truly appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of the conference in full because I was assigned to moderate panels that I probably wouldn’t have chosen to attend otherwise. The opportunity to network with other emerging scholars was also quite delightful, as the shared responsibility and experience bonded us better. I really enjoyed serving the conference as an emerging scholar and would love to return to future conferences."
It was an incredible experience to connect with scholars and professionals from various fields related to food studies. In addition, the conference gave me an excellent platform to showcase my research, receive invaluable feedback, and expand my network. As an Emerging Scholar, I could participate in interactive sessions and attend thought-provoking presentations that helped me gain new insights into the broader field of food studies. In addition, the Emerging Scholars program provided an excellent opportunity to engage with seasoned researchers and professionals in the field, exposing me to various publishing opportunities to showcase my research. Without hesitation, this experience has positively impacted my research and academic career, and I sincerely thank the Food Studies Research Network for allowing me this opportunity. I look forward to attending future conferences and supporting and encouraging other emerging scholars working in food studies."
Throughout my Food Studies scholarship period I have been given support and opportunities to learn, interact and enhance focused aspects of my research. Also, by sharing the academic environment with peers I have had the chance to exchange knowledge and sharpen skills. It has been a great pleasure to be part of it."