An international honor, the Lolas E. Halverson Motor Development Young Investigator Award is given in recognition of an outstanding young scholar for their contributions to research in the motor development field and scholarly effort to improve motor behavior over the lifespan. Honorees must demonstrate sustained scholarship that makes a significant contribution to the field of motor development. Evidence might include the innovative nature of the work, its impact on the field, and/or its impact on the practical application of knowledge. The recipient will make a research presentation at the next I-MDRC conference.

​

About Lolas E. Halverson “Hal”:  Originally from South Dakota, Hal completed her BA in Physical Education from Iowa State Teachers college in 1944.  Following this, Hal taught Physical Education in the upper Midwest for 3 years, then went on to complete an MS and PhD at UW-Madison.  She spent her career as an academic at UW-Madison, directing the Motor Development and Child Study Laboratory from 1971 until her retirement in 1988.  During that time, her scholarship – which had an important focus on translation and practical outcomes in improving children’s movement -  was nationally recognized within the field of motor development and physical education   As an educator and scholar, Hal was an inspiration to all – students, colleagues, even the children who participated in her studies.

 

Nomination Due by May 1 (11:59 pm ET)

​

Award Criteria:

1. Nominee shall have demonstrated sustained scholarship and efforts toward leadership which makes a significant contribution to the field of motor development. Evidence of this distinction might include the innovative nature of the work, its impact on the field, and/or its impact on the application of knowledge. The work shall reflect high quality scholarship as demonstrated by a theoretical rationale and alignment, high quality methods and analyses, insightful interpretation of results, and the contribution of new knowledge to the field of motor development.

​

2. The nominee must be a current I-MDRC member and preference will be given to individuals who have been actively engaged in I-MDRC (e.g., attending international and national I-MDRC conferences, being a member of I-MDRC over multiple years, serving on I-MDRC committees).

 

3. Nominees must be no more than 6 years beyond their Ph.D. award date.

​

4. The award will be presented on annual basis. The award recipient will receive a plaque at the I-MDRC conference. The recipient will agree to make a research presentation at the next I-MDRC conference.

​

Nominator Responsibilities:

1. The nominator must be a member of I-MDRC.

 

2. The nominator is responsible for putting the nomination packet of materials together and communicating with the I-MDRC Awards Committee chair.

​

3. The nomination packet of materials should include:

​

     a. Nominee’s information: name, work affiliation, address, email

     b. Nominator’s information: name, work affiliation, address, email

     c. Name and email of the two individuals writing nomination support letters

     d. Nominee’s CV

     e. A research statement written by the nominee:

          i. No more than 5 double-spaced pages (1 inch margins, 12 point font)

         ii. Summary of the lines of research of the nominee

        iii. Impact and significance of the research to the field of motor development

        iv. Application of their work to professional practice

         v. Commitment and involvement with I-MDRC

        vi. Future research

     f. Three first-author articles published by the nominee

     g. Letter of nomination (2-page, single spaced) by the nominator, outlining the candidate’s contributions to the field of motor                  development and alignment with award criteria

     h. Two additional letters of support (preferably from I-MDRC members)

 

Directions

1. The nominator will compile the packet of all materials in a single pdf, and email it to imdrc.15@gmail.com. 

2. The nomination packet should be saved with the following naming convention, for example, nominee's name is Sue Smith; a single pdf file is being submitted as Halverson Award (insert appropriate year) Sue Smith.pdf.  

3. All nomination materials must be received electronically by I-MDRC (imdrc.15@gmail.com) no later than 11:59 pm ET on May 1st.

4. All questions should be directed to imdrc.15@gmail.com (email).

​

Previous Award Winners

Karen Meany - 1995

Clersida Garcia - 1996

Susan Hart - 1997

Jackie Goodway - 1998

Jin Yan - 1999

Rosa Angulo-Barroso - 2000

Nancy Getchell - 2001

Nida Roncesvalles - 2002

Taeyou Jung - 2004

Chris Kovacs - 2005

Dave Stodden - 2006

Tom Korff - 2007

Michele Lobo - 2008

Jin Bo - 2009

Leah Robinson - 2010

Ting Liu - 2011

Matthias Wagner - 2012

Priscila Tamplain - 2013

An De Meester - 2021

Elena Kokkoni & Ryan Hulteen - 2022

Cristina Menescardi & Ryan Sacko - 2023

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

I-MDRC is proud to be able to offer Graduate Student Research Grants to help support the amazing work of our student members. These annual grants offer up to $1,000 of support. Awards for the 2024 cycle are due April 1, 2024. For full details of this award, click here. 

​

Previous Award Winners

Crystal Elizabeth Alvarez - 2023