Essay Prize

SUBMISSIONS NOW CLOSED

Details regarding the 2025 Becker Essay Prize will be posted in Spring of 2025. Please see for your reference the criteria and general information below.

About the Becker Essay Prize

This essay prize commemorates Yvonne Joan Kathleen Becker and highlights her invaluable contribution to the department. The winner receives a $500 prize and is honoured at the Yvonne Becker Annual Event. The winner is also invited to enjoy a meal with the colloquium speaker and Linguistics faculty following the event.

Eligibility Criteria

• The essay must be submitted by an undergraduate student in good standing 
• The student must be actively enrolled in a Linguistics program (including a major, joint major, or extended minor), Indigenous Languages program, or the Linguistics discipline within the Cognitive Science program 
• The essay should be between 3,500 and 7,500 words
• The essay must be supported by an instructor's nomination (download form below) 
• If the essay is a result of coursework, the essay should be supported with a nomination from the instructor who taught the course
• If the essay is independently composed, please seek a nomination from one of your previous instructors in a Linguistics program (including a major, joint major, or extended minor), Indigenous Languages program, or the Linguistics discipline within the Cognitive Science program 

Selection Criteria

The successful essay will stand out for the originality of its ideas, understanding of linguistic concepts and clarity of expression.

Submission

Please submit your essay as a Word file via email to lingchr@sfu.ca and lingasst@sfu.ca and include the completed Nomination Form (download below) from the nominating instructor.