Outstanding Faculty Scholarship and Research Award

• Provides scholarly contributions
• Articulates a research philosophy and agenda
• Demonstrates a commitment to research and contributing to the knowledge pool in their field
• Applicant must demonstrate how their research supports their teaching

• Completed nomination form
• A copy of the nominee's current CV, to include scholarly publications
• Evidence of:
  • PDF of the scholarly work (book chapter, paper, conference program, presentation), including the review criteria 
  • Documentation addressing the following three areas in regard to your scholarly contribution: your research philosophy and agenda, how your current activities are significant to the field, how your research supports your teaching at APUS. You may choose to submit a narrative of no more than 250 words or a video of no longer than two minutes for each area. You may also choose to submit a combined submission of no more than 750 words or six minutes in length.
• Statement of support from the nominee's Department Chair, Associate Dean, or Dean

• Nominations may be made by faculty, staff, students, alumni, and those familiar with the nominee’s work
  • Nominees will be notified and asked to provide documentation on research philosophy, current activities, and how their research supports their teaching at APUS

• Top candidates are presented to the Academic Awards Committee for review
• The University Provost grants final approval
• The award may, but will not necessarily, be awarded annually to one faculty member 
• Open to part-time and full-time faculty members

• Award recipients will be honored during Commencement weekend, and should we have an in-person celebration, one-night accommodations and individual travel expenses to attend Commencement will be paid for by the University
• Award recipients receive a crystal trophy 
• Award recipients are not required to travel to Commencement to accept the award 

Dr. Elise Rainer

School of Security and Global Studies 

Dr. Elise Rainer is a founding faculty member of the University’s doctoral programs and exemplifies outstanding research and scholarship in her field. While teaching full-time at the University, Dr. Rainer has published extensively and contributed widely to scholarship regarding global security and international relations. 

From her career experience with the United Nations, the State Department and other international institutions, Dr. Rainer mentors many of our University’s students – at all degree levels – in building their careers in foreign affairs. Through her international field research, numerous peer-reviewed articles, recent book publication, talks, conference presentations, university podcasts, and foreign policy-related publications, she has demonstrated outstanding research and scholarship. 

Dr. Rainer's scholarship is especially exemplified through her new book, “From Pariah to Priority: How LGBTI Rights Became a Pillar of American and Swedish Foreign Policy,” which was published by the State University of New York’s University Press in November 2021. While contributing broadly to the field of foreign affairs, Dr. Rainer pursues a robust research agenda regarding modern foreign policy that is timely and relevant to foreign policy leaders. 

In the past year, she served as the lead drafter on a report called “A Guide to Inclusion in Development and Foreign Policy,” used by diplomats and international development officers in the European Union. The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently requested follow-up research from this report for their G7 presidency event. 

Dr. Rainer currently utilizes her scholarly abilities to formulate relevant foreign policy recommendations and conducts research for multiple United Nations agencies. She produces a wide range of research and scholarly works applicable to a broad audience of students, foreign policy practitioners, academics, intelligence professionals, and the diplomatic community.