RSA Fellows

Fellows of the Rhetoric Society of America have produced scholarship in rhetorical studies that is remarkable for its quality, quantity, and/or influence; have participated in the work of the RSA, whether on the Board, on its committees, or in other capacities; and have worked to increase the visibility and influence of rhetorical studies through public lectures, teaching, advocacy, or other activities. 

SELECTION COMMITTEE

Each biennium, in the even (Conference) year, the Rhetoric Society of America names new Fellows of the Rhetoric Society of America. Designation as a Fellow indicates sustained and superlative contributions to the field of rhetorical studies, the study of rhetoric, and the Society. 

In consultation with the RSA President and the Chair of the Committee on Committees and no later than December of the year prior to the award date, the ASC Chair identifies four RSA members to serve on the Fellows & Yoos Award selection committee. 

• The Vice Chair of the Awards Steering Committee will chair the selection committee. 
• The other three members of the committee should reflect the diversity of rhetorical studies with regard to rank, institution type, and identity categories.

ELIGIBILITY

All RSA members are eligible to be nominated to the Fellows.

REVIEW PROCESS

Nominations are reviewed by the RSA Fellows & Yoos Award selection committee, a sub-committee of the Awards Steering Committee, which recommends winners to the Board for final approval. 

In reviewing nominations to the RSA Fellows, the selection committee considers:

• The nominee’s scholarly contributions to rhetorical studies, including:

• The nominee’s influence on scholarship (through publications, lectures, editorial work, and teaching/mentorship),
• The quantity of scholarship the nominee has produced (to be weighed relative to the publishing culture of the institutions at which the nominee has worked), and 
• The content of the scholarship (particularly its role in extending, synthesizing, correcting, and/or re-directing the shape of work in rhetorical studies)
• The nominee’s work for the Society in formal and informal capacities, including service on the Board of Directors, on RSA committees, and in mentorship capacities; leadership for the RSA Institute or individual seminars or workshops; and/or work beyond RSA that has indirect effect on the good of the Society (e.g. leadership in other professional organizations, service on public commissions related to higher education, or organizing work in higher education or rhetorical studies)
• The nominee’s contribution to the Society’s IDEA and/or social justice values through scholarship, mentorship, teaching, leadership, and/or service.
• The nominee’s work to advance the public profile of rhetorical studies (e.g. through teaching, public outreach, community organizing, speaking, or public scholarship)

Up to three Fellows, exclusive of the recipient of the Yoos Award, may be designated biennially.

Deadline for nominations: March 1, 2026.

Conflict of Interest for the RSA Fellows & Yoos Award Selection Committees

It is expected that members of the selection committee may have previous working relationships with nominees for RSA Fellows and the Yoos Award. Before beginning deliberation, members of the committee will disclose their potential conflicts of interest and develop a plan for mitigating those conflicts. Any member who feels they cannot fairly evaluate a nominee will abstain from ranking that nominee.

Ratified by the RSA Board of Directors May 2004. Amended July 2020