Hamilton Book Awards Honor International Work from UT Authors
- Dec 5, 2024
The University of Texas at Austin author David Hillis has been awarded the 2024 Robert W. Hamilton Book Award for “Armadillos to Ziziphus,” his collection of essays on the beautiful and diverse Texas Hill Country. Among the other nominees were authors exploring international topics in India, Nigeria, Ukraine, Latin America, Papua New Guinea, the African Diaspora and empires across South Asia.
The Hamilton Book Awards are among the highest honors of literary achievement given to authors at UT Austin and are sponsored by the University Co-operative Society and the Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors. The awards are named for the late Robert W. Hamilton, emeritus professor in the UT School of Law and former chairperson of the co-op’s board of directors.
Along with Hillis, the 21 other nominated authors were honored at a ceremony that took place earlier this month. Among these authors, their books focused on international regions including Papua New Guinea, India, Ukraine, Nigeria, Latin America, the African Diaspora and empires across South Asia, showcasing UT’s commitment to and quality of international research throughout all departments and colleges.
James Slotta, from the Anthropology Department in the College of Liberal Arts, was honored for “Anarchy and the Art of Listening,” which follows the political agendas of the people of the Yopno Valley of Papua New Guinea.
Scott R. Stroud from the Communications Studies Department in the Moody College of Communication was honored for “The Evolution of Pragmatism of India,” which explores how pragmatism influenced the Indian constitution and abolishment of the caste system.
“Babusya’s Kitchen,” co-written by Peace Corps Volunteers, staff and host families, includes both Ukranian international recipes used by Ukranian relief volunteers that incorporate local resources. The proceeds of this recipe book will go solely towards Ukranian relief efforts.
Moyo Okediji, from the Art and Art History Department in the College of Fine Arts, received a nomination for “Metamodern Vision of Tola Wewe,” which explores the work of one of Nigeria’s most influential artists, Tola Wewe.
Summer Harlow, the director of Moody College’s Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas, was honored for “Digital-Native News and the Remaking of Latin American Mainstream and Alternative Journalism,” which discusses the rise of independent, digital-native news outlets in Latin America and their role in social change.
Hershini Bhana Young, from the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies in the College of Liberal Arts, was nominated for “Falling, Floating, Flickering: Disability and Differential Movement in African Diasporic Performance,” which intersectionally links African diaspora, disability studies and movement studies.
Professor of History Sumit Guha in the College of Liberal Arts was honored for “Ecologies of Empire in South Asia,” an examination of 500 years of successive empires across South Asia through the lens of historical land usage and impact.
Nominations are currently open for the 2025 Hamilton Book Awards. Submit a nomination before the deadline of January 21, 2025.
To learn more about all the 2024 nominees and winner of the Hamilton Book Awards, visit the original article at UT News.
