Elman Prize

Jeffrey L. Elman

The Cognitive Science Society is pleased to announce the launch of the Jeffrey L. Elman Prize for Scientific Achievement and Community Building. In recognition of Jeff Elman’s many contributions to the field of cognitive science, the Cognitive Science Society in partnership with the University of California, San Diego will award a new prize at the Cognitive Science Society annual meeting to mid-career cognitive scientists (individuals or teams) whose careers exemplify the twin strands of scientific excellence, and commitment to community-building and service that were so evident in Jeff Elman’s career.

Award of the Jeffrey L. Elman Prize

A call for nominations for The Jeffrey L. Elman Prize for Scientific Achievement & Community Building will be announced later this year with details of the prize.

Fundraising for the Endowment

The Cognitive Science Society in partnership with University of California, San Diego encourages donations to the Elman Prize endowment fund from colleagues and friends who wish to recognize and honor Jeff Elman and his notable contributions to cognitive science.

Tax efficient giving The Cognitive Science Society is a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code, so US donors can qualify for an income tax deduction to the limits allowed by law. It also is possible to give tax efficiently through Transnational Giving Europe from the following European countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, and The Netherlands. To donate and claim tax relief please contact your national foundations and explain that you wish to make a gift to the Cognitive Science Society.

Contributions to the field of cognitive science

Scientific excellence

Jeffrey L. Elman made several major contributions to the theoretical foundations of human cognition, most notably in the areas of language and development. His work had, and continues to have, an immense impact across fields as diverse as cognitive science, psycholinguistics, developmental psychology, evolutionary theory, computer science and linguistics. Among other honors he was awarded the Rumelhart Prize by the Cognitive Science Society in 2007, and a full eulogy in honor of his work can be found here

Community building and service

In addition to the many important intellectual contributions Jeffrey Elman made to Cognitive Science, he also was an inspiring scientific citizen who is remembered for his generosity and mentorship. His community building and service were wide-ranging. In addition to serving as president of the Cognitive Science Society (1999-2000) and on its Governing Board for two terms (1994-2000; 2008-2012), he made many other contributions to the field. He contributed to the international presence of Cognitive Science, serving as Co-Director, Central and Eastern European Center for Cognitive Science, New Bulgarian University and advisor at National Taiwan University. He served extensively at the NIH in grant reviewing, serving on and later chairing the LCOM Study Section. And in addition to editing the journal Cognitive Science, he edited an influential monograph series at the MIT press and served on the editorial board of numerous journals.

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