The Cliff Kuhn Award of the Oral History Association is presented biannually in even-numbered years. Established in 1993, the award recognizes a distinguished postsecondary educator involved in undergraduate, graduate, continuing, or professional education who has incorporated the practice of oral history in the classroom in an exemplary way. The next award will be made at the OHA’s 2026 annual meeting.
The award-winning educator will receive an award plaque, a one-year membership in the OHA, a $500 monetary award, and complimentary registration to the annual meeting.
Criteria for the award are:
- The educator has developed an innovative philosophy or strategy for the use of oral history; successfully implemented an existing strategy for doing oral history with students; and/or used oral history in print or another medium to enhance learning
- The educator’s work or approach is a model for the use of oral history in education
- The educator has demonstrated familiarity with both oral history scholarship and the literature relating oral history to educational practice;
- The project or curriculum adheres to appropriate standards for historical research and interpretation, oral history interviewing, preservation of recordings (and transcripts, where applicable), and presentation
- The oral history project or curriculum has a civic or community component
To nominate an educator for this award, upload the listed materials using the submission form (please make sure the title of each document includes the educator’s last name):
- A two- or three-page statement describing both the educator’s philosophy or goals relating to the use of oral history in an educational setting and the details of the oral history project or curriculum the educator has developed
- Supporting materials such as syllabi, assignments, transcripts, press releases and other promotional material, publications, media productions, et cetera
- A nominating or supporting letter describing both the educator’s use of oral history and the rationale for nomination
- The educator’s CV or Resume
Nominations may come from educators themselves or from colleagues, students, administrators, or community members who recognize the accomplishments of an educator in using oral history to enhance education. Please only nominate one educator per submission.
Cliff Kuhn (1952-2015) served as the first Executive Director (2013-15) and as a president of OHA (2000-01). During more than two decades as an associate professor at Georgia State University, Kuhn became a highly respected scholar, mentor, influential public historian, and sought-after speaker. He was a great mentor to graduate students and had a high standing in the oral history community. He was instrumental in making sure the OHA joined the community of scholars, the American Council for Learned Societies (ACLS).
Committee Chair:
Lucas Wilson, lucas.fww@gmail.com, 2020-2023
Committee:
Roberto Fernandez, 2022-2025
James Karmel, 2022-2025
