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
The deadline for nominations for The Jeffrey L. Elman Prize for Scientific Achievement & Community Building is November 15, 2019
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.
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.
