The Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) consortium is pleased to announce this year's award winners. The awards recognize students who have written exemplary electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) as well as leaders who have helped to promote ETD programs. Winners have demonstrated new dimensions of scholarship being explored by individuals who have made significant contributions to the worldwide ETD movement.

The Awards Program includes several categories of appreciation. The Innovative ETD Award recognizes student efforts to transform the genre of the print dissertation through the use of innovative software to create cutting edge ETDs. Use of renderings, photos, video and other multimedia objects that are included in the electronic document were considered as part of the innovation of the work. The Innovative Learning through ETDs Award recognizes a student whose professional life has been enhanced by the ETD process. Finally, the ETD Leadership Award recognizes members of the university community whose leadership and vision has helped raise awareness of the benefits of ETDs, and whose efforts have improved graduate education through the use of ETDs.  Criteria for consideration of the awards are available online. 

The awards will be presented at the ETD 2010 Symposium, to be held this year at the University of Texas, Austin, Texas June 16 - 18, 2010.  For program details please visit the ETD 2010 Conference Website. 

Innovative ETD Award 

Andrew Barnes / Master of Science in Journalism / West Virginia University, U.S.A 

In his master's project report "Humans for Sale: Using Multimedia to Spread Social Awareness of Human Sex Trafficking in Southeast Asia", Andrew traveled to Southeast Asia to interview sex-trade workers and NGO representatives who are working to establish long-term economic alternatives to reduce human exploitation.  The heart-wrenching interviews reveal a sad truth yet also bring hope that social change through increased exposure via the lens of the journalist can indeed make a difference.

Guylaine Vaillancourt / Ph.D. Leadership and Change / Antioch University, U.S.A. 

In her doctoral dissertation "Mentoring Apprentice Music Therapists for Peace and Social Justice through Community Music Therapy: An Arts-Based Study", Guylaine explored the arts-based community music therapy approaches to promote peace and social justice.  The work features many audio clips of musical interventions, interviews and thoughts from collective music therapists.  This unique perspective is gaining much interest in the world of alternative counseling and therapeutics. 

Andre Zimmermann / Ph.D. Geography / University of British Columbia, Canada

In his doctoral dissertation "Experimental investigations of step-pool channel formation and stability", Andre studied stream erosion through various micro-experiments in the laboratory which he compiled into time-lapsed photography and video clips to reveal seldom discussed phenomena in hydrology and sedimentation.  The work brings to life natural processes for other researchers to experience and replicate as well as to provide a straightforward demonstration to the non-technical lay audience, thus increasing possibilities for inter-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary research. 

Innovative Learning through ETDs Award

Leslie Jarmon / Ph.D. Communication Studies / University of Texas, U.S.A.

As a graduate student, Leslie's dissertation "An ecology of embodied interaction: turn-taking and interactional syntax in face-to-face encounters" became the wedge to push ETD implementation at the University of Texas at Austin.  Although her own dissertation was submitted on CD, her post-graduate efforts towards ETD implementation culminated in the adoption of and ETD program at UT within several years of her graduation.  The Metanomics Blog site featured an article "Connecting the Dots", which links to a Second Life Lecture - "Total Engagement - Gaming the Workplace" - includes a Tribute to the life of Leslie Jarmon.  Leslie passed away in October 2009, leaving an indelible legacy for the world.

Jacques Orton / Master's in Architecture / University of Pretoria, South Africa 

Jacque's master's thesis "Urban Agriculture. A Community Development Project" explored the possibilities in shifting in ecological, environmental and employment trends towards long-term sustainability in post-apartheid South Africa.  His plans to revitalize an aging urban center in the outskirts of Pretoria are now the talk of scholars and urban planners who are now advocating for legislative policy change.  His vision presents the tremendous potential to turn-around the poverty ravaged areas of his home town and transform this region through micro-economic development and provide a model for others around the world including developers in far-away Detroit, Michigan and many other gentrified urban centers. 

ETD Leadership Award

Tim Brace / University of Texas, U.S.A.

Tim has been involved with the NDLTD for the past decade and has provided leadership to implement the ETD program at the University of Texas at Austin, one of the largest graduate schools in the U.S.  Tim's many presentations on ETD implementation at UT-Austin and the launch of the original ETD Administrator pilot with ProQuest/UMI have always captivated audiences as he shared lessons learned.  Tim also assisted with migration of the ETD process to the new state-wide consortium Texas Digital Libraries repository system.  His unique perspectives gained from his work in the graduate school as well as information technology sector have helped provide critical and respected guidance for many institutions around the world in ETD matters.  Presently Tim is Assistant Director in the Office of the Registrar at UT-Austin. 

Monica Hammes / University of Pretoria, South Africa

Monica has been involved with the ETDs at the University of Pretoria, South Africa for the past decade where she has also contributed to the international development of digital repositories in the African continent and around the world.  She currently serves as Assistant Director for Open Scholarship and Quality Assurance for the University Libraries. 

Nancy Stuart / University of Victoria, Canada

Nancy has been a long-time supporter of digital collections and ETDs at University of Victoria, Canada where she was instrumental in implementing their ETD program and repository program as well as assisting with the development of the national Theses Canada portal. She is presently the Technical Services Librarian for the University Libraries.

29 March 2010

John Hagen & Christine Jewell, NDLTD Board Members and ETD Awards Committee Co-chairs.

This announcement is also available online at http://www.ndltd.org/events_and_awards/awards/ndltd-etd-awards-2010-winners