The University of Ottawa Centre for Law, Technology and Society launched the Impact Awards to recognize outstanding emerging researchers (students and highly qualified personnel) who are engaged thought leaders, and to celebrate the impact they have had on technology law, ethics and policy through their research achievements, knowledge mobilization, and outreach activities in Canada or on the global stage.  

The selection committee will consider the impact on policy and society through a wide range of achievements (e.g. scholarly literature, explanatory journalism, reports, professional practice, public discourse, public policies, and tools). 

The selection committee will attribute one or more awards of a minimum of $1,000. Special mentions may also be awarded.

These awards are generously supported by donations made to the Centre. 

Nominees must be emerging researchers affiliated with the Centre during the current academic year. This includes undergraduate and graduate students, research assistants, postdoctoral fellows and research staff supervised by a CLTS Faculty member. (You can contact us to confirm the eligibility of a candidate.)  

Nominations can recognize a group of people or group achievements. Should the achievement be in collaboration with people who are not affiliated with CLTS or with a CLTS Faculty or Associate member, the nominee(s) must be the primary contributor(s) and have contributed to more than half of the achievement.

Anyone (including people non-affiliated with CLTS) can nominate someone (including themselves). However, nominations must be endorsed by a CLTS Faculty member. CLTS Faculty members may endorse up to 5 nominations.  

Nominations must be sent to [email protected] , with a copy to the CLTS Faculty member endorsing the nomination. Nomination letters must not exceed 500 words but may be supported by any relevant documentation.

There is one nomination campaign per academic year in the Spring. Centre’s affiliates will receive a message with the deadline to apply when the annual campaign is launched. 

This award program is managed by the Director of the Centre for Law, Technology and Society.

For any questions regarding this program (eligibility, calendar, etc.), please reach out to the Centre at [email protected] .