Awards and Bursaries

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology has established an annual program of awards to recognize the achievements of outstanding graduands in Sociology and Anthropology (including Honours students), and Outstanding Honours Thesis. The department has established a fund within its yearly budget to underwrite the following awards:

(1)   Outstanding Anthropology Graduand;  

(2)   Outstanding Sociology Graduand;  

(3)   Outstanding Sociology/Anthropology Graduand, and

(4)   Outstanding Honours Thesis Graduand

The Outstanding Anthropology, Sociology, and Sociology/Anthropology Graduand awards are awarded to students who have attained the highest CGPA amongst graduands for that academic year in their respective programs.  To be eligible for consideration, graduands must achieve a final CGPA of at least 3.67.

The Outstanding Honours Thesis award winner will be selected amongst Sociology and Anthropology students who have completed an Honours thesis in the past academic year with some criteria to include: intriguing topic; accessibly-written abstract, creative argument; and evidence of in-depth analysis.  

Usamah Ansari Top Student Award
In addition to being recognized the winner of their particular category (i.e., Outstanding Anthropology, Sociology,  Sociology/Anthropology, or Honours Thesis Graduand), the student who achieves the highest CGPA amongst all four of the award winners will also be recognized as that year’s winner of the Usamah Ansari Top Student Award.

Awards will be made each year at Spring Convocation, and graduands from the previous academic year (i.e., summer, fall, and spring semesters) will be eligible to be considered for one or more of these awards.

In recognition of their high achievement, monetary awards will be announced in award letters sent to the winners.   

As a condition of accepting one or more of these awards, each award winner will provide a written reflection (of between 250-300 words) about what they have gained from studying anthropology and/or sociology and how they intend to make use of this in the future. Winners will also provide a personal photograph suitable for posting on the Department of Sociology and Anthropology website, to be posted along with the written reflection submitted.

Past Award Winners: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016