AIOCS 2024 “Beginnings” Prizes

The Australian Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies (AIOCS) is pleased to announce its 2024 “Beginnings” prize competition.

Three prizes will be offered in December 2024, for research focusing on the contribution of Father Matta al-Miskīn to theology, exegesis, and spirituality.

AIOCS invites specialised studies on Father Matta’s ideas, as well as comparative analyses, where his contributions are discussed in conversation with patristic, modern, and contemporary Christian thinkers. While we encourage comparative studies of Father Matta’s ideas and Eastern Orthodox thinkers, approaches across the denominational spectrum are equally welcomed.

To enter the competition, please submit an original, unpublished research piece in the form of a journal article, including an argument, analysis, assessment, conclusions, and bibliography. Alternatively, you could translate one of Father Matta’s shorter works from Arabic into English, prefaced by an introductory study.

The ideal length for each submitted piece is 8,000 words, but longer studies are also acceptable (please contact us beforehand if the intended submission amounts to more than 10,000 words). The word count includes both text and footnotes, but not the bibliography.

The preferred referencing system is Chicago for both footnotes and bibliography. Please follow the style exemplified here.

The prizes to be offered in 2024 will be as follows:

The first prize

AUD 1,000, with the work being published in AIOCS Press’ new digital series, “Beginnings.” The author will also receive 10% of the proceeds, on an annual basis.

The second prize

AUD 500, with the work being published in AIOCS Press’ new digital series, “Beginnings.” The author will also receive 10% of the proceeds, on an annual basis.

The third prize

The work will be published in AIOCS Press’ new digital series, “Beginnings.” The author will also receive 10% of the proceeds, on an annual basis.

These prizes reward graduate and postgraduate students, as well as early career and non-tenured academics.

Deadline for submissions: 2 October 2024. An academic panel will assess the submitted materials throughout October and November.

For enquiries and to submit your work, please contact Dr Wagdy Samir, AIOCS Director of Orthodox Studies, at info@aiocs.net

AIOCS LTD is a not-for-profit charitable organisation that promotes the study of Orthodox Christianity, Eastern and Oriental, in Australia

For donations, please go to https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/aiocsnet or contact us at info@aiocs.net