The purpose of The Ellis R. Kerley Research Award is to recognize excellence in the continuing effort to research and develop methods in forensic anthropology. The research which best demonstrates the excellence in pursuit of developments in the field of Forensic Anthropology personified by the late Dr. Kerley will receive the Ellis R. Kerley Research Award. The announcement will be made at the Kerley Foundation and Anthropology Section reception during the annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences meeting.

The winner will be awarded with the following:
  • $250 US dollars.
  • A plaque awarded at the Kerley Foundation/Anthropology section reception the following year.
  • Invitation to speak about the research during Kerley Foundation/Anthropology section reception.​
APPLICANT CRITERIA AND SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
  • Candidates MUST be AAFS Trainee Affiliates, Associate Members, Members or Fellows of the Anthropology Section. 
  • In case of multiple authors, the first (lead) author must satisfy the membership status requirement. 
  • The award is attributed to the first author, regardless of who presented the research at AAFS.
  • ​Application for this award is initiated by normal abstract submission to the AAFS following the deadlines and acceptance process. Please review the AAFS abstract submission process and make sure you select Kerley award in the the award eligibility section. 
SELECTION CRITERIA
  • ​Papers or posters will be selected from among the abstracts submitted to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
  • The sitting Board of Directors and the rotating member cast votes on the abstracts that are deemed eligible for the award. 
  • The award will be granted for the paper or poster which best demonstrates originality, creativity, depth of research, innovation, new methodologies, significance to the field, and/or potential impact on the practices of forensic anthropology.

Ellis R. Kerley Research Award recipients

Click images for winning abstracts.