NIH Matilda White Riley Behavioral and Social Sciences Honors

Overview

Every year OBSSR celebrates the legacy of Matilda White Riley, Ph.D. (1911-2004) (634 KB), a celebrated scientist and National Academy of Sciences member who transformed behavioral and social sciences research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Originally established as an annual distinguished scholar lecture, the event expanded in 2016 to include a competition recognizing outstanding research papers by early stage investigators (ESIs).

Distinguished Lecturer

The Distinguished Lecturer, an outstanding social-behavioral scientist, delivers the keynote address at the honors event.

Learn more about the scientists that have been recognized in previous years.

We are now accepting nominations for the Distinguished Lecturer. Please email the following information as a PDF to Erica Spotts ([email protected]) by 5:00 p.m. ET on February 10, 2025:

  • Nominee's contact information and professional webpage(s)
  • A one-page statement describing how the nominee's research results and practice correspond with Dr. Riley’s vision
  • Nominee’s CV and/or NIH biosketch
Matilda White Riley

Nomination Criteria:

Nominees should have a research career that has advanced behavioral and social sciences in areas within NIH’s mission and that expands on Dr. Riley’s work, including:

  • An expanded conceptualization of health and wellbeing that includes effective cognitive, affective and social functioning; and quality of life
  • Behavioral and social sciences research results that improve the lives of people and society
  • Illumination of the complex and dynamic interplay among processes at multiple levels (e.g., interactions between genes and the built, natural, and social environment)
  • Influence of social and behavioral factors on physical health and the utility of this knowledge for clinical practice and health policy
  • A life course perspective on the development, health, and well-being of individuals and societies
  • Research approaches that build theory and methods in the advancement of knowledge on health and well-being

Nominees do not need to have NIH funding. OBSSR is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in speaker selection and event programming.

Early Stage Investigator Paper Competition

Nominations are now open for the Early Stage Investigator Paper Competition. Check the eligibility criteria and submit your application by February 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For questions, please contact Lauren Fordyce at [email protected].

The ESI Paper Competition recognizes emerging scientists whose research reflects Dr. Riley’s vision of research excellence in health-related behavioral and social sciences.

Eligible submissions include original research papers published within the past year where an ESI serves as lead author. Authors of selected papers will be invited to present their research at the honors event.