2026 NAMLE Awards Nomination Form

Thank you for taking the time to nominate someone from the media literacy community! You'll find a description of each award below, with specific nomination questions on the next page.

Your Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Are you a current NAMLE member?

YesNo, but I would like to become a member. No, and I am not interested in becoming a member at this time.I'm not sure, but I would like to be a member.

Award Category Descriptions

Elizabeth Thoman Service Award

Formerly known as the Meritorious Service Award, the Elizabeth Thoman Service Award honors those who have given many years of service to the field of media literacy. The award was re-named in honor of Elizabeth Thoman, founding board member of NAMLE. This award recognizes individuals or projects that have significantly contributed to the growth and quality of the field of media literacy over the years.

Media Literacy Teacher Award

Subcategories: PK-12 Teacher Award, Higher Education Teacher Award This award is given in each conference year to a teacher integrating a strong media literacy curriculum in PK-12 and/or higher education. The award may be given to a teacher in any subject area or grade level, who’s curriculum reflects a strong integration of media literacy concepts as detailed in the Core Principles of Media Literacy Education. Nominees from PK-12 and higher education will be evaluated and awarded separately.

Media Literacy Researcher Award

This award recognizes a researcher whose work is advancing the field of media literacy by providing resources and/or facilitating the work of the MLE community. The committee will consider nominees with an expansive body of work as well as those with a singular notable work (e.g. program, project, etc.).

Media Literacy Youth Award

This award recognizes a middle or high school student who exemplifies media literacy in action. Their work and activities have showcased their ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create and act using multiple forms of communication. Nominees exemplify leadership qualities and a passion for media literacy education.

Media Literate Media Award

The Media Literate Media Awards are designed to inspire and recognize media makers who cover or include media literacy in their work, and make outstanding contributions with national reach. The Media Literate Media Awards recognize programs, initiatives, or organizations in media that:

Have raised the visibility of media literacy education or media literacy or,
Have helped citizens better understand media literacy education or media literacy,
Have advanced media literacy skills through their content, or
Have provided significant, outstanding resources that enhance the ability of educators to practice the kind of inquiry-based media literacy education.

2026 NAMLE Awards Nomination Form

Please complete the following information about your nominee.

Nominee's Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Is this person based in the U.S?

Please select the award category for which you'd like to nominate this person.

Please provide the nominee's affiliation (college, university, research center, organization) and give some context about their work capacity that may impact their research agenda and productivity (e.g. full time researcher, teaching load, part of a research team).

Please describe the nominee's body of work. Specifically, please elaborate on how the nominee's body of work demonstrates both depth and breadth in media literacy expertise. Where possible, include evidence of nominee's published research, including collaborative and individual contributions to the field.

Please describe any evidence of impact from the nominee's research body of work. Specifically, please provide examples of significant impact from the researcher’s work, articulating specific results of research, their applicability to a specific audience or community, and how the researcher’s work answers specific questions in the field.

Please describe what makes this researcher's approach to studying the fields of media literacy and/or media literacy education innovative or unique.