Steve Dillon (20 March 1953 - 1 April 2012) was a well-respected figure in the Australian and international music education communities, widely known for his enthusiastic approach to numerous projects around the globe, for his kindness, and his eternal optimism. A singer, songwriter, educator and humanitarian, Steve was particularly passionate about community music and the connections between music, wellbeing and social justice. His passion for music as a means of communicating between individuals and communities, and as a space and place for social change is evidenced in the many projects in which he was involved. The Steve Dillon award celebrates Steve's many interests and seeks to advance research and scholarship investigating the connections between music, wellbeing, and social justice.

Purpose

The Steve Dillon ISME World Conference award is intended to support an early career researcher in attending the ISME World Conference to present a report on their research for the first time. The Steve Dillon award will normally provide up to USD 3,000 to be used towards covering the costs of accommodation, travel and subsistence.

Eligibility

The Steve Dillon ISME World Conference award is open to ISME members who are early career researchers currently enrolled in a graduate research degree (Masters by coursework or research, doctorate including PhD, EdD or DMA) who have had a research paper accepted for presentation at the ISME World Conference.

Criteria

In general the criteria by which applications will be judged include:

1. the quality, originality and significance of the research project;
2. the ways in which the research addresses the role of music in issues of social justice, community music-making and/or wellbeing; and
3. evidence of the applicant’s financial need and likelihood of being unable to obtain funding for the requested travel and subsistence from other sources.

Applying

Applications for this award are now closed for the year 2024. 

The decision-making process

• The Awards are for first-time presenters currently enrolled in graduate research programs only, so previous award recipients and previous presenters at ISME World Conference should not apply.
• All applications will be considered by the ISME Awards Panel chaired by the President.
• Applicants will be informed normally within four weeks of the closing date of the outcome and must advise the panel in writing of their acceptance of an offer of award within 7 days of the receipt of the letter of award
• Any qualified unsuccessful applicant will be given the opportunity to join the conference as a paid delegate at the lowest place of residence early bird rate. 
• The decision of the panel is final, and the Society regrets that it is unable to enter into any correspondence regarding its decision. Each application is treated individually on its merits; hence previous applicants are not precluded from applying (although previous recipients of awards are).

Note: the name of this award was changed in 2020 to add the word 'presenter'.

All applications are considered by the ISME Awards Committee chaired by the President or nominee. Applicants are informed normally within four weeks of the closing date of the outcome and they must advise the panel in writing of their acceptance of an offer of award within 7 days of the receipt of the letter of award. The decision of the panel is final, and the Society regrets that it is unable to enter into any correspondence regarding its decision. Each application is treated individually on its merits; hence previous applicants are not precluded from applying, although previous award recipients are.

Past recipients

Past recipients of this award are:

2018: Joanne Gibson (UK)
2016: Eva Wilde (UK) and Jaclyn Paul (Canada)

The award was not made available in 2020 and 2022.