International Union for the Study of Social Insects,
North American Section
The International Union for the Study of Social Insects (IUSSI) is a worldwide scientific society devoted to promoting the study of social arthropods. In addition to educational programs, regular society meetings, sponsored symposia, and recognition awards for distinguished service, the IUSSI publishes pertinent work of members and non-members in the peer-reviewed journal Insectes Sociaux.
DEIJ Statement
The IUSSI-NAS believes that everyone, regardless of identity (including race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, ethnicity, religion, caste, age, nationality, and ability status), belongs in social insect science. Like the diversity found in a social insect society, having a diverse membership leads to better overall outcomes, and ultimately advances scientific knowledge. IUSSI-NAS is working to support diversity, accessibility, and inclusion efforts by creating opportunities for participation and advancement in social insect science as a whole and actively opposing racism and all other forms of discrimination and harassment. We will listen, learn from, and work with our members from all career stages and backgrounds to build a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just community of social insect researchers. You can reach out to the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Committee anytime with thoughts and concerns. Email: iussi.nas.deij@gmail.com.
AWARDS
Hamilton Prize
The IUSSI honors a senior scientist at its quadrennial Congress with the Hamilton Prize. The highest honor we bestow, the Hamilton Prize recognizes lifetime achievement in the biology of social insects and is named in honor of the late Bill Hamilton.
West-Eberhard Prize for a Junior Scientist
The Mary Jane West-Eberhard Prize for a Junior Scientist was established by the IUSSI in 2018 and was awarded for the first time in 2022 to Patrick Kennedy.
West-Eberhard Prize for Best Paper
To honor the legacy of Mary Jane West-Eberhard, this award is presented for the best first-author peer-reviewed research article published by a student (undergraduate or graduate level) in the areas of social behavior and/or evolution in social arthropods.
George C. Eickwort Student Research Award
This award, named in honor of the late George Eickwort, recognizes outstanding research by a graduate or undergraduate student. The award is given to the student who in the opinion of the award committee shows the most distinguished record of research and scholarly activity in the area of social insect biology.
Robert L. and Louise B. Jeanne Social Wasp Research Grant
This grant is endowed by Robert L. and Louise B. Jeanne to encourage graduate student research into any aspect of the basic biology of social wasps.
Jeffery P. La Fage Student Award for Applied Research on Social Insects
This award, established in memory of Dr. Jeffery Paul La Fage, recognizes a Ph.D. graduate student for their work on a species of social insect.
Charles Michener Bee Research Grant
This grant is endowed by the IUSSI-NAS to encourage graduate student research on any aspect of the biology of bees, defined broadly as the Anthophila.
William L. and Ruth D. Nutting Termite Research Grant
This grant is named in honor of the late Bill Nutting, an outstanding termite biologist who made major contributions to termite biology, both through his own research and mentoring of students, and in honor of Ruth Nutting for her support of Bill’s work.
Tschinkel Ant Natural History Research Grant
This grant was endowed by Victoria and Walter Tschinkel to encourage graduate student research into basic natural history and biology of ants (in the broad sense), areas that have often been neglected.