Awards & Recognition
About Annual Awards Program – TheJournals by Nitee
To celebrate excellence and foster a culture of recognition across our community, TheJournals by Nitee will confer the following awards annually for each journal in our portfolio. These awards acknowledge the contributions of reviewers, editors, authors, and scholars whose work strengthens the quality, integrity, and impact of our publications.
Together, these eight awards foster a culture of recognition across TheJournals by Nitee. They honor excellence in reviewing, editing, authorship, innovation, and broader scholarly impact, while reinforcing the values of integrity, inclusivity, sustainability, and engagement with society. By conferring these awards annually, we aim to inspire our community to continue contributing work that is rigorous, relevant, and transformative.
Outstanding Reviewer Award
This award honors reviewers who consistently provide timely, thorough, and constructive feedback. Reviewers considered for this recognition demonstrate fairness, uphold ethical standards, and contribute significantly to improving the quality of published work. Criteria include timeliness in completing reviews, constructive and actionable feedback, fairness and objectivity in evaluation, and a demonstrated commitment to confidentiality and ethical standards. Recommendations are made by the Editor‑in‑Chief based on reviewer performance across the year.
Editorial Excellence Award
The Editorial Excellence Award recognizes editors who show exceptional vision, integrity, and commitment to their journal’s growth. Achievements considered include leadership in developing special issues, expanding readership, fostering diversity and inclusion, and maintaining the highest standards of scholarship and ethics. Final selection is made on the recommendation of the Editor‑in‑Chief and the publisher.
Best Paper Award
This award celebrates the most impactful article published in the calendar year. Selection is based on originality, methodological rigor, clarity of analysis, and contribution to theory, practice, or policy. The award reflects editorial and peer recognition of scholarly excellence, and the final recommendation is made by the Editor‑in‑Chief of the journal.
Best Cited Paper Award
The Best Cited Paper Award recognizes the paper that has achieved the greatest academic influence over time. Citation counts across recognized databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar are considered, along with evidence of scholarly reach and resonance in the field. This award highlights long‑term impact and is determined by citation data analysis combined with editorial oversight.
Emerging Scholar Award
This award encourages early‑career researchers by recognizing promising scholarship and innovative approaches. Authors within five years of completing their PhD or equivalent are eligible. Criteria emphasize originality, clarity of argument, methodological soundness, and potential for long‑term impact in the field. Recommendations are made by the editorial board in consultation with the Editor‑in‑Chief.
Societal Impact Award
Reflecting our commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, the Societal Impact Award recognizes work—whether editorial, reviewing, or authorial—that advances understanding of sustainable practices, governance, and socio‑economic development. Selection is based on demonstrated relevance to pressing societal challenges, evidence of practical application or policy influence, and the ability to bridge academia with real‑world change. Projects sponsored or funded by social organizations, NGOs, or community initiatives are given special consideration.
Digital Engagement Award
The Digital Engagement Award acknowledges articles that achieve significant visibility and engagement beyond traditional citations. Impact measured through altmetrics, social media mentions, online discussions, and public outreach is considered. This award celebrates research that sparks dialogue, reaches wider audiences, and demonstrates relevance in contemporary debates. Selection is based on altmetrics data and social media analytics, reviewed by the editorial office.
Innovation in Research Award
The Innovation in Research Award recognizes scholarship that introduces groundbreaking ideas, novel methodologies, or interdisciplinary approaches. It is awarded to work that pushes boundaries, opens new directions for scholarship or practice, and demonstrates how creativity and originality can transform the field. Selection is based on editorial board evaluation and peer recognition of innovation.