NIH Matilda White Riley Behavioral and Social Sciences Honors

Matilda White Riley

Overview

Matilda White Riley, Ph.D., (1911–2004)  (634 KB) was a celebrated scientist and member of the National Academy of Sciences whose transformative work and leadership in the behavioral and social sciences at the NIH is honored annually by the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR).

Each year, NIH honors the research trajectory and continuing influence of Dr. Matilda White Riley in the behavioral and social sciences across and beyond the NIH. Initiated as an annual distinguished scholar lecture, OBSSR expanded the event in 2016 to recognize emerging scientists with a competition for peer-reviewed articles by Early Stage Investigators (ESIs).

Early-Stage Investigator Paper Competition

OBSSR Early Stage Investigators (ESI) Paper Competition awards recognize emerging scientists whose research reflects Dr. Matilda White Riley’s vision of research excellence in health-related behavioral and social sciences.

OBSSR welcomes the submission of original research articles that have been first-authored by an ESI within the past year that highlight innovative behavioral and social sciences research. Selections are featured at the annual Matilda White Riley Behavioral and Social Science Honors event.

The submission period for the 2024 event is closed. Please sign up for our email updates to receive information about when the call for nominations opens.

Distinguished Lecturer

The Distinguished Lecturer, an outstanding social-behavioral scientist, delivers the keynote address at the Matilda White Riley Honors and is recognized on our website.

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

Nomination Criteria:

Annually, OBSSR invites nominations for the Distinguished Lecturer position at the Matilda White Riley Honors. Nominees should have a research career that has advanced behavioral and social scientific knowledge in areas within NIH’s mission and that expands on Dr. White 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 inclusiveness in speaker selection and agenda development of its scientific meetings and events.

The submission period for the 2024 event is closed. Please sign up for our email updates to receive information about when the call for nominations opens.