Annual Awards

The Harriet B. Presser Award

Harriet B. Presser was a sociologist, demographer and a distinguished professor at the University of Maryland, College Park department of sociology. Professor Presser’s significant impact on the field of sociology and the subfield of social demography is reflected in her efforts throughout her career to mainstream a feminist perspective—that is, being sure that gender issues are included in research on social inequality. She founded the first population center in the world dedicated to such concerns, named “The University of Maryland Center on Population, Gender and Social Inequality,” and directed it from 1987 to 2002.

This biennial award was first presented at the 2009 PAA annual meeting. The award honors a record of sustained research contributions to the study of gender and demography and consists of a plaque and a cash prize. 

Submission Procedures:

Nominations for the 2025 award, including self-nominations, should include a concise summary of the nominee’s contributions and accomplishments (one page), a selected list of the important demographic positions the nominee has held, a list of his or her most significant publications or presentations (one page), and a copy of the nominee’s curriculum vitae. Nominees should exemplify the highest standards of professional conduct.  Nominations should be submitted through this form no later than January 31, 2025.

2023 Harriet B. Presser Award Winner

Elizabeth Heger Boyle, University of Minnesota

Past Award Recipients

  • 2023: Elizabeth Heger Boyle
  • 2021: Diana Greene Foster
  • 2019: Jennifer Glass
  • 2017: Frances Goldscheider
  • 2015: Paula England
  • 2013: Ruth Dixon-Mueller
  • 2011: Karen Oppenheim Mason
  • 2009: Valerie K. Oppenheimer