About the award

The College of Agriculture Dean’s Outstanding Publication Award recognizes tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty members (including those in the research professor series and Research Fellow IV) for outstanding original research published in peer-reviewed journals. The award fosters academic scholarship and excellence by honoring primary research publications that demonstrate high impact through a combination of citation metrics, journal quality, and broader influence.

Value of Outstanding Publications

The academic community evaluates research quality and influence using metrics such as journal impact factor, citation counts, downloads, and other indicators of scholarly and societal reach. Publications in high-quality journals with strong citation records typically achieve broader readership and greater influence. These metrics have a lasting effect on a researcher’s career, as grant panels, search committees, and academic ranking organizations frequently consider them when assessing scholarly productivity and institutional quality. Prospective students and postdoctoral researchers also use journal prestige and impact data when selecting advisors and programs.

Nomination form

To be eligible for the Dean’s Outstanding Publication Award, the following rules apply:

  1. The work must have been conducted at Auburn University in an Auburn lab.
  2. The nominated paper must have an Auburn affiliation as Senior Author or First Author.
  3. The publication must be original research (not a review paper).
  4. A recipient of the award cannot win again for two years.
  5. Each department nominates one paper per year and completes the rubric (see below).
  6. An Auburn faculty member can only submit one paper each year.
  7. Papers can be 1–7 years old at the time of nomination.

Each department is responsible for selecting and nominating one paper per year. The department must complete the official rubric, providing quantitative and qualitative information for each criterion (see Rubric section below). Nominations must be submitted or endorsed by the department head/chair or school director via the online nomination form.

Nomination form

All nominations will be evaluated by the College Research Awards Committee using the following criteria. Departments are responsible for completing the rubric with supporting numbers and evidence for their nominated paper:

  • Citations (last 1–7 years) – Web of Science (WoS)
  • Citations (last 1–7 years) – Google Scholar
  • Impact Factor of Journal
  • Downloads/Reads – ResearchGate
  • Awards based on the research in the paper (i.e., student presentations at conferences)
  • Number of patents linked to the work
  • Media coverage
  • Rejection rate of the journal

The committee will score and rank the nominations based on the completed rubrics to select the winner(s).

The winner(s) will receive a certificate recognizing this accomplishment. The winning publication will be highlighted in the College’s newsletter and other appropriate communication channels. The award is presented annually.

  • All co-authors who are members of the Auburn University College of Agriculture will be recognized.
  • The certificate will be presented to the First Author (or Senior/Corresponding Author) on behalf of all authors.
  • The publication must be at least an Online First version by the nomination deadline.