The University of Chicago has announced the winners of the 2025 Academic Communicators Network (ACN) Excellence Awards. These awards honor scholars who effectively share their research with the public. This year, five scholars from UChicago were recognized: William Baude, Robert A. Pape, Justin Marlowe, Janelle R. Goodwill, and Alison L. LaCroix.
The ACN awards committee selected the recipients from a competitive pool of nominations. The committee includes members from the ACN Faculty Advisory Committee, the Office of the Provost, and University Communications. Established in 2018, ACN aims to support faculty in reaching external audiences through year-round training in media engagement and other communication skills and offers a media engagement platform.
University of Chicago's Vice President for Communications, Paul M. Rand, stated, “At a time when our society has an urgent need for university researchers to communicate the value and meaning of their work to broad audiences, the importance of academic communication has never been greater. The ACN Excellence Awards recognize academics who not only produce groundbreaking research but also communicate it with clarity and purpose—ensuring that knowledge extends beyond the academy and contributes meaningfully to public understanding.”
Robert A. Pape received the op-ed writing award, recognizing his contributions to major outlets like the New York Times and CNN on topics such as the war in Gaza and divisive political issues. William Baude was honored with the digital communications award for his work on podcasts and blogs addressing legal topics. Justin Marlowe was awarded for his media relations efforts, notably his commentary on public finance featured by outlets like NPR and Bloomberg.
The early career communicator award went to Janelle R. Goodwill, who has discussed her research on Black mental health on various media platforms. Finally, Alison L. LaCroix was recognized as the best overall communicator for her work across various media, including her book “The Interbellum Constitution,” and her historic analysis in the context of current constitutional debates.
ACN invites all University of Chicago faculty and academic appointees to participate in its programs to enhance public engagement.