The Irving Oberman Memorial Prize: Law and Social Change Award Submission Instructions

The Irving Oberman Memorial Prize: Law and Social Change includes a $1000.00 award. If there are multiple winners, the prize amount will be divided among them.

Projects eligible for the Oberman Memorial Prize for Law and Social Change include: a law reform initiative undertaken in a clinical or pro bono capacity (with documentation describing the effort), a video or other media presentation with a plan for its dissemination, and a written work of scholarship or advocacy with a plan for its publication or dissemination. Special consideration will be given to projects that are not solely the work of one student but instead involve two or more students in a joint effort; also the prize seeks to encourage interdisciplinary work and work that interacts with one or more audiences or constituencies. 

Submissions will be evaluated by Professors Lani Guinier and Lucie White based on the following criteria: 1) originality of the insight or the approach, 2) thoroughness of the literature review, methodology or analysis, 3) ability of the author to move beyond a purely “expert-based” model of social change, 4) writing style/approach that enhances likelihood it will be read or viewed by intended audiences who will be motivated to take action, to discuss ideas, or to circulate more widely and 5) analysis offers real information about an important problem and the role, limitations, and promise of law in addressing it.

To be eligible for this award, students must submit one hard copy of their paper with a cover sheet to the Dean’s Office and e-mail one copy of the same paper with the same cover sheet to writingprizes@law.harvard.edu by April 23, 2010. Submissions must be received by this date.