We are inviting nominations for the 2026 Robert K. Merton Award. The prize will be presented in person at the 18th Annual Conference of the International Network for Analytical Sociologists (INAS) on July 1-3, 2026 at Oxford University (UK).
Nominations, including self-nominations, are encouraged for papers on any topic related to analytical sociology, published in print (or online for online-only journals) during 2024 and 2025.
Papers paying special attention to the following elements will be particularly appreciated: clear specification of explanatory mechanisms; well-defined empirical explanatory focus; careful research design; detailing connections between levels of analysis; innovative and transparent methodological procedures, whether qualitative or quantitative; clarity in writing style.
Please upload a copy of the nominated paper along with a brief motivation to https://tinyurl.com/merton-26.
Nominations for the 2026 award will be accepted until April 2, 2026.
We look forward to receiving your nominations,
The Award Committee
- Elisa Bellotti (chair)
- Marco Giesselmann (one of last year’s winners)
- Thomas Grund
- Federico Bianchi