Our UC Santa Barbara faculty are well decorated academics earning prestigious recognition in their field of research and study. But arguably, the most humbling awards are those bestowed by fellow peers. At UCSB such awards are presented annually to two well-deserved recipients which culminate in free public lectures open to the entire campus community.
Faculty Research Lecture
Established in 1954, the Faculty Research Lecturer is the highest honor the UC Santa Barbara faculty can bestow on one of its members. The award accords Academic Senate members the high recognition that is their due, and gives faculty, staff and students an opportunity to understand the scholarly achievements and points of view of those we honor.
Faculty Research Lecture Series
These lectures, which were disrupted during Covid, commemorate the accomplishments and professionalism of our distinguished colleagues.
November 19, 2024
University Center, Corwin Pavilion
Lectures: 4pm – 6pm | Light refreshments to follow
Alison Butler, Chemistry and Biochemistry | 2019-2020 Recipient
and
David Valentine, Earth Science | 2022-2023 Recipient
February 6, 2025
University Center, Corwin Pavilion
Lectures: 4pm – 6pm | Light refreshments to follow
Richard Mayer, Psychological and Brain Sciences | 2020-2021 Recipient
and
Shelly Lundberg, Economics | 2021-2022 Recipient
April 10, 2025
University Center, Corwin Pavilion
Lectures: 4pm – 5pm | Light refreshments to follow
Lisa Parks, Film and Media Studies | 2023-2024 Recipient
Past Faculty Research Lecture Award Recipients
- 2023-2024 Lisa Parks, Film and Media Studies
- 2022-2023 David Valentine, Earth Science
- 2021-2022 Shelly J. Lundberg, Economics
- 2020-2021 Richard E. Mayer, Psychological and Brain Sciences
- 2019-2020 Alison Butler, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Plous Lecture
The Harold J. Plous Memorial Award was established in 1957 to honor Harold J. Plous, assistant professor of economics at UC Santa Barbara. The award is presented annually to a faculty member of the rank of assistant professor or instructor who has demonstrated outstanding performance and promise as measured by creative action or contribution to the intellectual life of the university community. Awardees are selected by the Faculty Executive Committee of the College of Letters and Science.
2023-2024 Harold J. Plous Memorial Award
Charmaine Chua, Global Studies
Plous Award Lecture: April 11, 2024 at 4pm | Alumni Hall, Mosher Alumni House
Past Harold J. Plous Memorial Award Recipients
- 2022-2023 Daniel Conroy-Beam, Psychological & Brain Sciences
- 2021-2022 Carolina Arias, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
- 2020-2021 Leah Stokes, Political Science
- 2019-2020 Alenda Chang, Film and Media Studies
- 2018-2019 Douglas McCauley, Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology
- 2017-2018 Terrence Keel, Black Studies and Religious Studies
- 2016-2017 Sherene Seikaly, History
- 2015-2016 Javier Read de Alaniz, Chemistry and Biochemistry
- 2014-2015 Krzysztof Janowicz, Geography