International Association for Impact Assessment
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Annual Awards

Recognizing the best in impact assessment

Each year, IAIA celebrates excellence in impact assessment with prestigious awards honoring individuals and organizations driving innovation and global best practices.

See the categories
Nominations Invited

Do you know someone worthy of an award? Submit your nomination by 15 September 2026 for IAIA’s 2027 annual awards. Anyone can make a nomination, and anyone can receive an IAIA award—only one category requires an IAIA membership to qualify.  

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award winners

2026 Award Winners

IAIA is pleased to recognize its 2026 award winners. These individuals and institutions will be honored at IAIA26 in Québec City, Canada.

Frank Vanclay

Global Award

For tirelessly promoting social impact assessment theory and practice, including authoring key global guidance documents, serving as editor of various SIA books, and leading the Research Handbooks on Impact Assessment series.

Centre for Environment & Health Research & Training (CEHRT)

Institutional Award

For over two decades of ESIA consulting, training, and capacity-building in Ghana and across West Africa

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Weston Fisher

Lifetime Achievement Award

For more than 30 years advancing impact assessment practice and capacity development worldwide, and for mentoring professionals within IAIA

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Richard Parsons

Individual Award

For multi-faceted, pioneering contributions to advancing social impact assessment policy and practice in Australia

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Association Québécoise pour l'évaluation d'impacts (AQÉI)

Regional Award

For decades of leadership in promoting and strengthening impact assessment practice in Québec and the Francophone community

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Oscar Obonyo

Young Professional Award

For advancing zero waste, zero harm, and net-zero emissions through innovative and practical sustainability initiatives

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Bryony Walmsley

Outstanding Service to IAIA

For outstanding commitment to training and mentoring impact assessment professionals, and for her long-standing generosity to IAIA

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Coming soon...

IAPA BEST PAPER OF 2025

Stay tuned for the winner!

2027 Nominations Opening Soon

Do you know someone worthy of an award? We want to hear from you! Nominations for IAIA’s 2027 annual awards will open in April 2026. Stay tuned to this page for nomination instructions, or sign up for IAIA enews to get updates delivered straight to your inbox.

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annual awards

Award Categories

IAIA recognizes excellence in impact assessment through the following award categories. Not all awards are granted every year.

Global Award

Presented to a leading individual or institution that has made a substantial contribution to impact assessment practice, management, or policy at a global scale.

Corporate Initiative Award

Presented to a private or public sector company for a specific activity or project that has made a notable contribution to responsible development practice through the application of impact assessment.

Individual Award

Acknowledges personal contributions to the discipline of impact assessment and recognizes major achievement and advancement in the theory and/or practice over a period of time at an international level.

Institutional Award

Presented to a national or international organization for outstanding contribution to impact assessment, such as a significant contribution to the practice of impact assessment, setting regulatory standards, or other environment-related activity deserving recognition.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Awarded to a past or present member of IAIA for major contribution to the field of impact assessment over a sustained period. Recipient must be an IAIA member. Previously known as the Rose-Hulman Award.

Regional Award

Awarded to a person or organization that has made a substantial contribution to the field of impact assessment and/or has taken a leadership role in promoting best practice in impact assessment within the general world region of the location of the conference for the year.

Young Professional Award

Acknowledges a distinguished student or young professional under the age of 35 with outstanding achievements in the impact assessment field.

Outstanding Service to IAIA

Recognizes one or a small number of key individuals within IAIA who have provided exceptional service to IAIA as an organization over a number of years. Selected by the Board and IAIA HQ.

IAPA Best Paper

Recognizes the year's best paper published in IAIA's journal, Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal (IAPA). Selected by the IAPA Editorial Board.