AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
The Comparative Civilizations Forum honors those whose work reflects the depth, curiosity, and vision at the heart of civilizational studies. Through our awards and scholarships, we celebrate both the founding figures who shaped the ISCSC tradition and the new generation of scholars carrying that legacy forward.
Each recognition — from the Arnold Toynbee Award to the David Wilkinson Award and the Emerging Scholar Scholarships — highlights the Forum’s commitment to fostering intellectual excellence, cross-cultural understanding, and a global dialogue on civilization.
Arnold Toynbee Award
Named in honor of Arnold J. Toynbee (1889–1975) — one of the 20th century’s most influential historians and a founding figure of the International Society for the Comparative Study of Civilizations — this award recognizes individuals whose work embodies the spirit of civilizational inquiry, global perspective, and intellectual courage that Toynbee championed.
A visionary scholar, Toynbee sought to understand history as the dialogue between civilizations, emphasizing that the rise and fall of societies reveal deeper lessons about human creativity, resilience, and moral development.
The Arnold Toynbee Award is presented to a scholar or practitioner who has made outstanding contributions to comparative civilizational studies, advancing dialogue across cultures and promoting the understanding of civilization as a shared human endeavor.
Stephen Satkiewicz receiving the Arnold Toynbee Award from ISCSC President Lynn Rhodes, 2022.
David Wilkinson Award
Named in honor of David Wilkinson, a pioneering political scientist and one of the ISCSC’s most influential thinkers, this award celebrates the Rising Star of Civilizational Studies.
Wilkinson’s groundbreaking “world system” theory redefined how civilizations are understood — not as isolated entities, but as interconnected networks of exchange and evolution. His vision continues to inspire new generations of scholars to think globally and comparatively.
The David Wilkinson Award is presented to an emerging scholar who demonstrates outstanding promise in advancing the comparative study of civilizations through innovative research, critical insight, and creative engagement with global ideas.
Photo: Bibi Pelic receiving the David Wilkinson Award from ISCSC President Lynn Rhodes, 2022.
Scholarships for Emerging Scholars
The CCF Scholarships for Emerging Scholars support students and early-career researchers who wish to participate in the Forum’s annual conferences and academic events.
These scholarships help promising young thinkers present their work, exchange ideas, and engage directly with the global community of civilizational scholars.
By enabling greater participation and dialogue, the program advances the Forum’s mission to nurture the next generation of researchers and to make the comparative study of civilizations a truly inclusive, international endeavor.
