Wisconsin Without Borders Awards

Wisconsin Without Borders recognizes work that demonstrates outstanding examples of globally engaged scholarship by members of the UW–Madison community.

Globally engaged scholarship does not require the project to be located abroad, but it does mean projects should have a global awareness, develop the global competence needed to be effective citizens, or address global problems across the broader human experience. To see examples of globally engaged scholarship, see the previous award winners below.

Award Categories

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4W Award

This award recognizes undergraduate student initiatives improving quality life issues for women and making the world better for all, promoting excellence in areas related to gender and wellbeing, both locally and globally. Submissions must reflect evidence of 4W core principles include a focus on:

  • Basic needs and human rights
  • Equality for all
  • Leadership and voice
  • Ecological Justice

Graduate Student Award

This award recognizes graduate students and professional students. The focus of this award can be for a CBL or CBR project, or other form of engaged scholarship or outreach.

CBL course projects exemplify the goals of community engagement by highlighting mutually beneficial  engagement activities that are valued by the community. Projects should:

  • Include evidence of an equitable relationship with the community partner
  • Incorporate student reflection
  • Link the activity to formal credit / academic learning

Community-based research is a collaborative enterprise between academic researchers (Faculty, academic staff, graduate students and professional students) and community members. The project should:

  • Be able to validate multiple sources of knowledge and promote the use of multiple methods of discovery and dissemination of the knowledge produced
  • Demonstrate a goal of social action/social change and sustainability
  • Be designed in collaboration with the community itself. Evidence of a reciprocal relationship with the community partner must be included.

Faculty or Staff Award

This award recognizes faculty or academic staff.  The focus of this award can be for a community-based learning (CBL) course or community-based research (CBR) project, or other form of globally engaged scholarship or outreach.

CBL course projects exemplify the goals of community engagement by highlighting mutually beneficial engagement activities that are valued by the community. Projects should:

  • Include evidence of an equitable relationship with the community partner
  • Incorporate student reflection
  • Link the activity to formal credit / academic learning

Community-based research is a collaborative enterprise between academic researchers (faculty, academic staff, graduate students and professional students) and community members. The project should:

  • Be able to validate multiple sources of knowledge and promote the use of multiple methods of discovery and dissemination of the knowledge produced
  • Demonstrate a goal of social action/social change and sustainability
  • Be designed in collaboration with the community itself. Evidence of a reciprocal relationship with the community partner must be included.

Peter Bosscher Award

Wisconsin Without Borders honors the work of Dr. Peter Bosscher, whose work and ethic of social responsibility is at the core of WWB. He was passionate about providing service-learning opportunities to undergraduates and having students reflect on the global impact of their work. It is in this context that WWB will award two undergraduate awards of $500 each to students (individual/group) who can demonstrate through their project submission:

  • A commitment to service
  • Reflection
  • Strong community partnerships
Wisconsin Without Borders — All White

Wisconsin Without Borders (WWB) is a UW–Madison alliance and award program that recognizes globally engaged interdisciplinary scholarship and fosters excellence by networking through joint learning activities.

We draw on the history and values of the Wisconsin Idea and the many remarkable partnerships that UW–Madison faculty members and students have initiated, both in Wisconsin and around the world.

WWB is a partnership between the Morgridge Center for Public Service, the Global Health Institute and The International Division.