Book prize: Best theological book 2009-2010

Thanks to generous sponsorship, the ESCT is in the position to award up to three prizes for theological books as part of the International Conference of the ESCT which will take place in Vienna next August.

General conditions:
1. The topic of the book must be theological.
2. A book can be proposed by its author or by any ET member.
3. The book must represent European scholarship either in terms of its topic or sources, or else because the author is from or working in the European context.
4. Applications from both emerging and established scholars are welcome.
5. Books must be written in a European language.
6. The book must have been published in the period 1.1.2009 - 31.12.2010.

Acceptance of the adjudicating panel's decisions with regard to the application of the above criteria is a condition of application.

Application procedure:
1. The author must provide a short CV, and a summaryof the book of maximum 10,000 words which summarises the main theses and arguments he or she develops. This summary must be presented in one of the official languages of the European Society (English, German, French).
2. The person who proposes the book must give a rationale clearly stating why the book should be considered for the prize, and how it meets the general conditions and the evaluation criteria for the award. This statement must be submitted in one of the official languages of the European Society (English, German, French).
3. Three copies of the summary, the rationale and the printed book must be sent to the General Secretary Pierre van Hecke to arrive by June 1, 2011:

Pierre van Hecke

Hertogstraat 3
3111 Wezemaal
Belgium

Evaluation criteria:
The book must reflect a standard of excellence in the theological discipline(s) to which it belongs. In addition, preference will be given to books which meet some/all of the following criteria:
1. The book should already have or be able to stimulate interest in theology among a broad public.
2. The book should engage theological scholarship with current public (e.g. social, political, economic) problems.
3. The book should represent a clear and significant advancement in theological research.

Evaluation committee:
The Presidium will appoint three eminent scholars to act as an evaluation committee. The evaluation committee will make a recommendation to the Presidium of the ESCT who shall decide on the award.