Book Award Juries

Duties and Responsibilities

Book Award jurors participate in the following:

• The Book Awards consist of six categories: four award categories in the Awards for Excellence in the Study of Religion, one award for the Best First Book in the History of Religions, and the Religion and the Arts Book Award. Jurors serve on just one of those six juries.
• Jurors will read five to seven shortlisted books over the summer.

Meeting Schedule

Virtual meeting in summer via Zoom

Timeline of Activities

• Late February: Online library of submissions available to each jury’s chair. Chairs may use this library, which includes full publication information (with book description/abstract) to make a first round of cuts if they wish.
• Mid-March: Books identified as second-round picks by the chairs are mailed to them.
• April 15: Jury chairs provide their shortlists of 5 to 7 books. AAR contacts publishers to have review copies sent to the remaining jurors.
• May through July: Juries read shortlisted titles, and the chair arranges deliberations with jurors in whatever format they wish. AAR can provide tele- or videoconference services.
• July 31: Chair notifies AAR of the winner with a short supporting brief.

Jury Members

• Term of Service: Two years, renewable once for an additional two-year term (Prior to 2018: Four years, non-renewable)
• Jury Composition: Six juries of up to four members each

Awards for Excellence in the Study of Religion

Analytical-Descriptive Studies

Constructive-Reflective Studies

Historical Studies

Textual Studies

Best First Book in the History of Religions

Religion and the Arts Book Award