Peggy Renner Award for Teaching and Curricular Innovation

recognizes an historian who has developed a college or university course that engages students in exploring the links between contemporary issues and the past.

Award: $750

Open for submissions: October 2025

Deadline: TBD

Eligibility

Applicants for the Peggy Renner Award for Teaching and Curricular Innovation: 

• must have membership that is current through the award year (December 31, 2026) when they submit their application. If your membership expires prior to December 31, 2026, please renew prior to applying in order to avoid disqualification. If you are not a member, please join to gain access to the application.

• current WAWH board members are not eligible to apply. 

• may apply for the award in more than one year but may win only once. 

• must hold a Masters or Doctorate degree and be teaching the course submitted for the award as the instructor of record/overseeing their own course, not assisting or under the supervision of another instructor.

• shall be actively engaged in teaching at an accredited college or university, and therein engaged in teaching that is historical in nature, although the course does not need to be within a History department if it is offered within a related department or field.  

• The course submitted may be a course listing specifically titled as a topic associated with linking the past and contemporary issues. It may also be a course listing titled as a general topic (ex: Women in U.S. History, Global History, etc.) within which the instructor can demonstrate consistent integration of the links between contemporary issues and the past. Evidence for the latter must be clear in the syllabus and other submitted materials.

Submission Requirements

Applicants for the Peggy Renner Award for Teaching and Curricular Innovation must submit the following through the application portal (see green button below):

• A completed application form. 

• A copy of the course syllabus, which identifies the significant contemporary topic(s) and related historical material.

• A 1-2 page summary of the course content.

• Combined, the syllabus and summary of the course content should address: 1) Contemporary sources (primary and/or secondary) used to establish the significance of the issue in contemporary society; 2) Historical sources (primary and/or secondary) used to engage students in contextualizing the topic(s) and exploring the history of the issue; 3) Instructions associated with assignments—including essays, poster talks, electronic presentations, or other assignments—that reveal students’ engagement in exploring the relationship between present issue(s) and the past.

• One confidential letter of recommendation from a colleague or supervisor who is familiar with and can attest to the innovative quality of the course, its contribution to the curriculum, and the effectiveness of the applicant. The letter must confirm the course was taught.

• Optional: one or more letter(s) of recommendation written by student(s) who took the course. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read about the award and the selection process in the Peggy Renner Award for Teaching and Curricular Innovation bylaws. 

Disqualification: Applicants who do not meet the deadline for submission or include all the required materials will not be considered.