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AACSRE Emerging Fellows Program, Class of 2025

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Deadline: May 2025

The Academic Advisory Council for Signage Research and Education (AACSRE) is a 501(3)c, not for profit organization. Our mission is to engage independent thought leadership in an exciting interdisciplinary space to move the dialogue regarding on-premise signage, visual communications and wayfinding across disciplines and to create a strong network for collaboration.

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AACSRE’s mission is to engage independent thought leadership in an exciting interdisciplinary space to move the dialogue regarding on-premise signage, visual communications and wayfinding across disciplines and to create a strong network for collaboration.

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AACSRE, through its Emerging Fellows program, provides research support for projects related to the societal benefits of on-premise signs. The research support is intended to stimulate and extend research projects by scholars from public and private universities in the United States who have demonstrated promise and/or success in conducting research related to signage. Since 2017, AACSRE Fellowships have provided over $135k to support more than 20 scholars. For information about current Emerging Fellows and alumni see below or click here!

 

The scope of proposals may vary widely across disciplines and methodologies. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

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  • Scholarship of legal issues related to signs and wayfinding

  • Creative activity related to the design of new signs or the reuse of existing signs

  • Engineering studies related to signs and traffic safety and mobility

  • Marketing or psychology research on how consumers perceive and respond to signage

  • Economic analysis related to the value of signs

  • Analysis on the history of signs and wayfinding

  • Research on the integrations of smart technologies within small- and large-scale signage applications and the impacts this technology will have on urban environments

  • Research on signage and wayfinding issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion

  • Research on the effects of AI-generated content on signage

 

Fellowships from $2,000 to $10,000 per year will be awarded to support the development and dissemination of signage research. Funds may also be used for the acquisition of technology to support research. Fellowships will initially be awarded for one year, but fellows who have demonstrated significant progress on their proposed signage research may be encouraged to reapply for a second year.

 

Priority for these fellowships will be given to pre-tenured faculty. Post-docs and graduate students may also submit applications. 

 

Applications for this fellowship may self-nominate or be nominated by their supporting institution. Applicants must provide: (a) a professional vitae; b) a 3-page (maximum) research plan which details how, as an AACSRE Emerging Fellow, the candidate will spend the resources allocated as a part of this program to support the creation and dissemination of innovative research or creative activity in the field of on-premise signs; and (c) a one page (maximum) budget for the research. Recipients will be expected to present their research to the AACSRE Leadership Team and to contribute to the journal: Interdisciplinary Journal of Signage & Wayfinding (IJSW).

 

Applications will be due on or before May 2025. They should be submitted as PDF files via email to ExecDir@aacsre.org. Notifications of fellowships will be made by June 2025. A summary report of the completed signage research, as well as the expenditures and use of the funding, will be required by April 4, 2025.

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Successful applicants may begin work as early as June 2025. An AACSRE mentor will be assigned by the awards committee to help guide the Emerging Fellow.

 

Applications and/or questions should be directed to the AACSRE Executive Director Maggie Mason at ExecDir@aacsre.org or at 859-653-6503.

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AASCRE Celebrates & Recognizes Our Emerging Fellows!

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Current Class of Emerging Fellows:

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