Over the years, we have recognized the contributions of experts whose work in crisis and risk communication has provided exemplary service while advancing the field as both researchers and practitioners. We are proud to present the following prestigious awards:
- Bridge Award for Excellence in Connecting Research and Service: Awarded each year to a scholar whose applied research is highly regarded in academic research and professional practice working to address crisis and risk communication challenges.
- Bridge Award for Excellence in Professional Practice: Awarded each year to a communication practitioner whose exceptional service to those in need reflects the highest standards of risk and crisis communication.
- Top Student Paper: Awarded each year based on the quality of the paper’s theoretical framework, methodological rigor, clarity of discussion and conclusions, writing quality, topic relevance, and overall coherence.
- Top 3 Posters: Awarded each year to the top three posters based on clarity and presentation of the problem/rationale, theoretical framework, methodology, results, discussion, future research, limitations, references, and overall graphic design.
- “People’s Choice” Poster: Awarded each year based on the votes of participants.
Past Award Winners
Bridge Award for Excellence in Connecting Research and Service:
2024 Prof. Marie-Eve Carignan, PhD, full professor in the Department of Communication at the Université de Sherbrooke. Professor Carignan’s research focuses mainly on media content analysis, the impact of media on society, misinformation, risk and crisis communication, and communication strategies. CANADA
2024 Prof. Dr. Martin Löffelhholz, Technische Universität Ilmenau, Germany. Professor of Media Studies and Head of the International Crisis Communication Research Group. Former President of the Swiss German University in Jakarta, Indonesia. Since 2021, he has been a spokesperson for the DECIPHER research consortium, which unites researchers from around the world to examine the communication strategies of governments, public health agencies, and media journalists regarding the COVID-19 mega-crisis, GERMANY.
2023 No conference held or award given.
2022 Dr. Mohan Dutta, Dean’s Chair Professor and Director of the Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation (CARE) in the School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing at Massey University, NEW ZEALAND.
2021 Dr. Michael Osterholm, Director, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota & member of President Biden’s 13-member COVID-19 Task Force, UNITED STATES.
2020 Dr. Bengt Johansson, Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication in the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMG) at the University of Gothenburg, SWEDEN.
2019 Dr. Matthew Seeger, Dean of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts (CFPCA) and Professor of Communication, Wayne State University, UNITED STATES.
2018 Dr. Amiso George, Professor of Strategic Communication and APR Fellow PRSA, Texas Christian University, UNITED STATES.
2017 Dr. Don Stacks, Professor Emeritus, University of Miami and Executive Director International Public Relations Research Conference, UNITED STATES.
Bridge Award for Excellence in Professional Practice:
2025 Dr. Elizabeth “Liz” Petrun Sayers (Ph.D., Univ of Kentucky) is a Social Scientist working in governmental communication. She previously led formative research for “The Real Cost” e-cigarette prevention campaign. Her current research aims to increase understanding of digital media on outcomes from tobacco prevention public education communication. UNITED STATES.
2024 Henrik Olinder, Senior Expert in Crisis Communication and Editor at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), SWEDEN.
2023 No conference held or award given.
2022 Dr. Marsha Vanderford, former Director of Communication for the World Health Organization (WHO) and currently an independent consultant and expert in health communication emergency risk communication. She has worked in this capacity for provincial, national, and international organizations including the WHO, the US CDC, and the UN Food and Agriculture Association, UNITED STATES.
2021 Gwen Griffin, Founder and CEO of the Griffin Communications Group with a 35- year history of working in the strategic communication industry. She has held such positions as Director of Marketing for NASA-Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and PR & Promotions Manager for Space Center Houston, UNITED STATES.
2020 The 2 Lives Steven Joel Sotloff Memorial Foundation. Given to the foundation that equips young journalists with the knowledge and tools they need to tell the important stories of the world in the safest possible way, honoring freedom of the press and freedom of speech, ending impunity, and bringing them home safely and alive, under all circumstances, UNITED STATES.
2019 Nancy Alvarez, Co-Anchor, WFTV Eyewitness News Daybreak, UNITED STATES.
2018 Mark Benthien, Director for Communication, Education, and Outreach for the Southern California Earthquake Council (SCEC), UNITED STATES.
2017 Antonia Novello, 14th Surgeon General of the U.S. (1990-1993), 13th New York State Health Commissioner (1999-2006), UNITED STATES.