Comenius Early Career Psychologist Award

1. Purpose of the award

The Comenius award is designed to recognise a psychologist whose academic and teaching career in psychology is developing, including quality of academic contribution and excellence in teaching and learning, and who is within 10 years of the completion of their PhD or equivalent.

2. History

The Comenius[1] Early Career Psychologist Award was given to EFPA in 2007 by the Union of Psychologists’ Associations of the Czech Republic (UPA), to be awarded to a young psychologist from Europe who has made an original contribution to psychology as a science and profession.

[1] Jan Amos Komensky – Comenius (1592-1670). Comenius was one of the first Europeans who contributed substantially to the knowledge of psychological aspects of learning and personality.

3. Profile of the award  

The Comenius Early Career Psychologist Award aims to recognise developing academic excellence, particularly including contribution to teaching and learning.  It will be given to a young European psychologist working in a European university whose contribution is demonstrated by:

• A developing portfolio of publications in scholarly journals, monograph(s), and chapters in books, and quotation index (not necessarily only in the English language).
• Presentations at national, European or international conferences, or other events.
• Originality/ novelty of their contribution to psychology as a science and/or a profession.
• Innovation/ creativity in teaching and learning.
• Contribution to the learning of psychology students.
• And who is within 10 years of the completion of their PhD or equivalent professional standing.  

The award is intended as an encouragement for young psychologists, who are less likely to have accumulated different forms of capital and resources to support their careers. 

EFPA would like to encourage a wide field of applications, and for a diverse group of people from across psychology to have the opportunity and feel encouraged and welcome to come forward, including those who may not normally consider such award schemes are for them.  The award is open to all who meet the criteria, inclusive of all personal characteristics and from across European countries. 

The Comenius Award is awarded during the European Congress of Psychology by the President of EFPA and a representative of the Union of Psychologists’ Associations of the Czech Republic (UPA), this may be a virtual or in-person attendance depending on circumstances. 

There may be an opportunity to visit one or more of the Czech universities, give a lecture and exchange experiences and ideas with colleagues in the awardee’s field.  Any opportunities available will be explored with the awardee after selection.

4. Awarding procedure and nominations

The award will be made in accordance with the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations ‘Process for granting awards’.  Information about how to nominate for this award is here.

5. Previous Comenius award recipients

EFPA congratulates once more the recipients over the years whose names are recorded below: