Who is meritorious? Gendered and racialized discourse in named award descriptions in professional societies of higher education

Vigorous debates have unfolded challenging public recognition of individuals whose names and images are emblazoned on public displays of recognition, including professional awards. Efforts to diversify higher education institutions in the U.S. have largely been focused at recruitment and retention efforts with less attention directed to racial and gender disparities of public recognition and recipients of professional awards. This study considered the role of professional awards by disciplinary educational organizations. Specifically, we ask how are named professional awards reflective and productive of discursive structures within professional higher education associations? While considering the historical and social structures of higher education and the professional associations, our findings reveal a markedly differed discourse from awards named after women and racially minoritized individuals to that of white men. We suggest ways in which professional associations can reconsider their practices to attract a broader and more inclusive pool of deserving recipients of prestigious awards.