We are very pleased to share the first call for the Association of Hispanists of Great Britain and Ireland (AHGBI)/Liverpool University Press Publication Prize. The prize recognises outstanding scholarly publications by mid-career academics for original research that demonstrates intellectual rigour, innovation and a significant contribution to academic discourse.
Isobel Birks, Commissioning Editor for Modern Languages (maternity cover) at Liverpool University Press, welcomed the launch of the new prize:
“I am especially pleased to see the launch of the AHGBI/Liverpool University Press Mid-Career Publication Prize which recognises and supports outstanding mid-career researchers in Hispanism. While early-career and senior scholars often have dedicated funding and recognition opportunities, mid-career academics can find themselves at a pivotal stage where sustained support is just as important. This prize celebrates innovative and intellectually rigorous research with the potential to make a significant contribution to the field while providing a valuable pathway to publication. I am excited to see the range of proposals that emerge and would encourage all eligible AHGBI members to apply.”
Applicants should be current members of the AHGBI who consider themselves mid-career researchers. A mid-career researcher is usually defined as an academic that is more than three years and less than 15 years out from their PhD and has an established research portfolio. Other profiles that fully justify their status as mid-career academics will be considered if appropriate, but please note this scheme is not open to those researchers who have achieved full professorship status.
Applicants can be specialists in any research area of Hispanism and will normally be employed on a full- or part-time basis on 1st October in a UK or Irish Higher Education Institution. The prize will be awarded based on the contents of the attached form and on the potential of the project. Publication of the resulting book will be subject to LUP’s standard proposal form guidelines, external peer review and the Editorial Advisory Board approval process. See more information on the assessment process below.
To apply, candidates should submit a completed proposal publication form (attached) to Ricki O’Rawe, Membership Secretary of the AHGBI, by October 1st 2026.
Guidelines for applicants
The AHGBI/Liverpool University Press Publication Prize
Proposals will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Clarity of the proposal
- Feasibility of the project
- Merit and significance of the project
- Originality, significance, and rigour of the project
Proposals will have to adhere to the following requirements:
- 90,000 – 100,000 words
- Maximum 10 black and white illustrations (images, tables, figures, graphs and maps)
- Compliance with the LUP AI Policy
- Compliance with LUP Publication Ethics and COPE Guidelines
- If selected as a winner, agreement to complete Liverpool University Press’ standard proposal form, external peer review and the Editorial Advisory Board process. For further information please see the LUP proposal guidelines
- If selected as a winner and approved by external peer review and the Editorial Advisory Board, agreement to Liverpool University Press’ standard publishing contract. For further information please see understanding your LUP contract
The selection committee normally will comprise:
- Editor from Liverpool University Press
- The President of the AHGBI
- Claire Taylor, former President of the AHGBI and Chair of the Liverpool University Press Editorial Board
- One former President or senior (or former) AHGBI post-holder
- Role-holder within the AHGBI (currently Ricki O’Rawe)
Key dates
- Launch of the scheme: April-June
- Deadline to submit proposals: 1st October
- Notification to applicants: December
Note that the prize is awarded on the basis of the submitted proposal via the application form and on the potential of the project. Publication of the resulting book will be subject to LUP’s standard proposal form guidelines, external peer review and the Editorial Advisory Board approval process.
Application form
Please email your Proposal to the Membership Secretary
Dr Ricki O’Rawe
E-mail: R.ORawe@qub.ac.uk
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