Outstanding Theoretical Paper Award

This award is given every other year (in alternate years from the Bonnie and Vern L. Bullough Book Award) to recognize an outstanding journal article or chapter with a copyright in the previous two years, in which theoretical explanations of human sexual attitudes and/or behaviors are developed. In addition to careful theoretical development, emphasis will be placed on the use of relevant empirical evidence to examine the validity of the theoretical explanations.

The nomination period is open from January 1 - March 15 every other year (in alternate years from the Bullough Book Award).

Selection Deadline

The nomination material is reviewed by the three-person Theoretical Paper/Bullough Book Award Subcommittee. The Committee Chair and members of the Subcommittee are not eligible to win the award. If a Subcommittee member would like to be considered for the award, they will be replaced during that review year. The Subcommittee will make recommendations to the Board of Directors for final approval. If a member of the Board is the author/editor of a nominated book, that Board member will abstain from the vote.

Selection Process

SSSS members are eligible to submit a nomination. Self nominations from SSSS members are welcome.
The nominator bears responsibility for submitting the completed nomination.

An author of a nominated article or chapter does not need to be a SSSS member. 

The nominator* must complete an online submission form and attach two documents (pdf).

  1. article or chapter

  2. a letter, with a paragraph or two explaining why this publication should be considered for this award. 

*The nominator bears responsibility for submitting the completed nomination.

Nominee Requirements

Review & Evaluation Process:

  • Nominations are reviewed by a three-person Theoretical Paper Award Subcommittee*.

  • The Subcommittee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors** for final approval.

*The Awards Chair and Subcommittee Members of the Outstanding Theoretical Paper Award are not eligible to win the award. If a Subcommittee Member would like to be considered for the award, they will be replaced during that review year.  
**If a Board Member is an author on a nominated paper, that Board Member will abstain from the vote.


Review Criteria: The article/chapter are evaluated based upon the following criteria:

  • The extent to which it advances a novel, parsimonious, and testable theory

  • The extent to which the theory is applicable and useful for explaining human sexual attitudes and behaviors

  • The extent to which the theory is examined in light of relevant empirical evidence (new or existing)

  • The extent to which the book acknowledges, includes, values, and/or amplifies diverse voices and strengths in sex science

Review and Evaluation

In the year an Outstanding Theoretical Paper Award is named, the recipient receives: 

  • Commemorative Plaque (awarded to the first author)

  • $250 Award (awarded to the first author)

  • $500 for Travel* to the SSSS Annual Conference to accept the award and deliver a talk during a concurrent conference session.

  • One night accommodation* at the conference host hotel

  • Complimentary Conference Registration*

*Travel, accommodation, and registration to the SSSS Annual Conference are provided the year the recipient receives the award. If travel is not required to attend the conference (e.g., the winner lives in the conference city or SSSS holds a virtual conference), travel and hotel will not be provided, but complimentary conference registration will remain in place.

Award

Conditions on Accepting the Award

The award winner must agree to the following:

  • Attend the SSSS Annual Conference to receive the award, and

  • Present the article/chapter during a concurrent session.

Questions?

Contact us

Previous Recipients

2021 Dylan Selterman, PhD; Amanda N. Gesselman, PhD; Amy C. Moors, PhD
Sexuality Through the Lens of Secure Base Dynamics: Individual Differences in Sexploration
Personality and Individual Differences 147 (1) | September 2019 | Pages 229-236

2023 Sari van Anders, PhD; Debra Herbenick, PhD, MPH, CSE; Lori A. Brotto, PhD, R Psych; Emily A. Harris, PhD; Sara B. Chadwick, PhD
The Heteronormativity Theory of Low Sexual Desire in Women Partnered with Men (2022)

2025 Heather Tillewein, PhD, CHES
Sexual Violence and Revictimization in Rural LGBTQ+ Communities