2023 Dissertation Award - Call for Proposals

The purpose of the ACR Dissertation Award is to encourage doctoral students to engage in research that has broader social impact. Marketing as a field has a lot to contribute to the betterment of society and we hope that through this encouragement, we will signal the importance of these topics to the future generation of marketing academics. 

To this end, eligible dissertation topics can deal with any aspect of (1) cross-cultural or global consumer behavior, (2) the public purpose of consumer research, and (3) topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion in the marketplace. The first topic on cross-cultural research is self-explanatory. For this topic, we hope to see dissertations that push the boundary of our understanding of cross-cultural differences. The second topic on public purpose can include studies of social marketing issues or transformative consumer research related to individual, family, societal, or ecological well-being. This can range from "bright-side" issues in consumer behavior (e.g., voluntary simplicity, environmentally efficacious behaviors,  healthy eating, possession sharing/communal consumption, household saving and retirement, exercise) to "dark side" issues in consumer behavior (e.g., addictions, crime, homelessness, poverty, excessive gambling, credit card debt, obesity), and also include other general subjects such as financial literacy, health care decision making,  product safety, computer entertainment and virtual reality, elderly consumers, and handicapped consumers.The third topic hopes to encourage more marketing young scholars to pursue  issues related to racism, diversity and equity. Topics can examine how racism, equity or inclusivity concerns affect consumer purchasing behavior and conversely, how firm marketing activities may perpetuate or mitigate such social issues.  

Though 3 topics are highlighted above, all dissertations will be evaluated based on merit. We are not obliged to pick an awardee for each topic area. In addition to the recognition of the potential of the dissertation, ACR will also provide a token amount of $200 for each awardee and free registration for the conference. The awards for 2023 are designed for dissertation projects initiated in the academic year 2022-2023 and designed for completion in 2023-2024. 

Applicants must declare that their dissertation is in progress and it is not yet complete.

Ph.D. candidates at the post-comprehensive exam, dissertation stage should submit proposals no later than Saturday, July 1, 2023.

Proposals must be submitted using this link.

There is a firm limit for proposals of 12 double-spaced pages, including references and all tables/figures (12-point  font and one-inch margins). The first page should include the title and abstract but no author information. The proposal should describe the research objectives, overview the proposed methodology, and specify anticipated contributions. 

A committee of consumer behavior scholars will evaluate the proposals and make selection decisions. Standard selection criteria will be invoked (importance, sophistication, rigor, etc.). Particular emphasis will be placed on whether the proposed research addresses important and exciting questions in the topic areas described above. 

Awardees will be selected and notified in September 2023. Funds will be discharged shortly thereafter. Awardees will also receive a plaque at the Association for Consumer Research Conference to be held in Seattle, WA.

The only stipulation in accepting this award is that the recipients acknowledge the financial contribution of the Association of Consumer Research in any forthcoming publications extending from the award.