This award is named for Kenneth Goldstein (1927-1995), chair and for many years the guiding force behind the Department of Folklore and Folklife at the University of Pennsylvania. It recognizes outstanding abilities and achievement by a living scholar in academic leadership relating to folklore. "Leadership" includes folklore program development, organizational and center development, teaching, and advising. The awardee is honored at the American Folklore Society annual meeting, and is given a $500 prize, a certificate, and lifetime membership in the Society.

The next review of nominations will take place in 2013. To nominate a candidate for the award, send (as a single PDF) a cover letter and supporting materials detailing the rationale for the candidate's nomination by February 15, 2013, to AFS Executive Director Timothy Lloyd at lloyd.100@osu.edu.

Nominees not selected in the year of their original nomination are kept in consideration for two more reviews.

Supporting materials should include a CV or list of program, advising, and teaching positions; university and professional service; publications and other scholarly productions; degrees; awards, grants, and honors. Other materials in the nominating package, numbering less than 25 pages, may also include letters from colleagues, former and current students, syllabi and course descriptions, press on the program and candidate, and other evidence that speaks to excellence in program development and leadership, teaching, and advising.

Past Kenneth Goldstein Award Recipients:

Edward D. "Sandy” Ives, University of Maine, emeritus (2003)

Roger D. Abrahams, University of Pennsylvania, emeritus (2005)

Elaine Lawless, University of Missouri (2007)

Daniel W. Patterson, University of North Carolina, emeritus (2009)

Barre Toelken, Utah State University, emeritus (2011)