The Society of Automotive Historians Richard Scharchburg Student Paper Award, 2023

To encourage research and writing in automotive history among university students, the Society confers its annual award for the best student paper in automotive history. The award is named for Richard Scharchburg, the late Professor of History at Kettering University, eminent automotive historian, and past vice president of the Society of Automotive Historians. 

The SAH offers separate awards for the best student paper in both undergraduate and graduate categories. Persons submitting papers must be enrolled at educational institutions (upper-class undergraduate or graduate level) at the time of submission.  This competition is international in scope, but papers must be in the English language. Papers already published or scheduled for publication cannot be accepted.

Manuscripts should not exceed 10,000 words, and should be double-spaced. An abstract is requested. Judging criteria include clear statement of purpose and testable hypothesis, accuracy and thoroughness of research, originality of the research, documentation, quality and extent of bibliographic resources, and writing style. Diagrams, graphs, or photographs may be included.  Submissions are to be electronic, in Word format or pdf files only, to the e-mail address below.

Possible subjects include but are not limited to historical aspects of automobile companies and their leaders, regulation of the auto industry, financial and economic aspects of the industry, the social effects of the automobile, highway development, environmental matters, and automotive marketing, design, engineering and safety.

A cover letter should be included stating the student’s address, school, program, advisor, and stage in studies. The student should indicate how the paper submitted will relate to his or her professional future. All papers submitted will be acknowledged.

The winner of the 2023 Scharchburg Award in the Graduate category will receive an engraved plaque, a one-year digital membership in the SAH, and a $500 check. Upon recommendation of the Awards Committee, the winning Graduate paper may also be recommended for publication in the Society’s annual Automotive History Review. The runner-up in the Graduate category will receive an Award of Distinction engraved plaque, a one-year digital membership in the SAH, and a $100 check.

The 2023 Scharchburg Award winner in the Undergraduate category will receive an engraved plaque, a one-year digital membership in the SAH, and a $250 check. The runner-up will receive an Award of Distinction engraved plaque, a one-year digital membership in the SAH, and a $100 check.

Nominations should be emailed to sahawards@gmail.com by June 15, 2023. Upon notice that the nomination is accepted, materials should be forwarded to the Scharchburg Student Paper Award Panel Chair John Mohr.

Questions regarding the Scharchburg Student Paper Award should be directed to John Mohr.