The School of Law at The University of Texas at Austin has begun accepting applications and nominations for its inaugural $50,000 Massey Prize for Research in Law, Innovation and Capital Markets.
The winner will be announced at a major academic conference in fall 2011 in Austin, Texas.
The Massey Prize will be awarded biennially to an individual for a scholarly book, article or body of work that has made a significant contribution to the understanding of law, innovation and capital markets.
This international prize will recognize the importance of sound public policy and the rule of law in their impact on the capital markets, especially as to innovations either in, or related to, the capital markets. Such public policy and law are critical to the sustainability of a nation’s long-term potential for growth, economic development and the accompanying high standards of living. For the purposes of the prize, the term “innovation” will be interpreted broadly, not only to refer to advances in financial products and strategies, but also to scientific or technological breakthroughs as well as to social, legal and economic advances in organizational structures, managerial processes, business models and teaching methodologies.
Authors of scholarly books, articles and bodies of work published in, or translated into, the English language are eligible for the award. Comparative and transnational research as well as work centered on the circumstances of the United States will be considered. An important quality of the research favored by the Massey Prize will be that it contributes usefully both to academic discourse and to actual practice in law, innovation and capital markets.
Individuals in the public or private sector from any country will be considered, but the person must be living at the time of nomination.
Alumnus John H. Massey and his wife, Elizabeth Shatto Massey, established this research award and its supporting endowment — the Massey Fund for the Study of Law, Innovation and Capital Markets — with a $2 million donation to the School of Law in 2009. John Massey’s interest in endowing this fund at his law school stems from his strong belief in the importance of the rule of law for economic stabilization and growth.
Massey, a 1966 graduate of the School of Law, has spent his professional life as a successful investor and executive in radio, television, banking and the insurance business. Elizabeth Massey, who received a bachelor of science in 1961 from The University of Texas at Austin, has long been active as a community volunteer.
The Massey Fund for the Study of Law, Innovation and Capital Markets is the latest example of the Masseys generosity to the UT Law School and to The University of Texas at Austin, generally. In fall 2004, the UT Law School announced the endowment of the Massey Teaching Excellence Award. The Law School presents the award, which includes a $50,000 stipend during each year of the two-year honor, to a faculty member who “epitomizes the school’s priority of providing the highest quality of teaching to its students.” At the UT System, the Masseys have also permanently endowed two discretionary “excellence in education” funds for the benefit of the Chancellor’s Office and the College of Education, two full academic scholarships for future teachers, and two additional awards for teaching excellence.
The deadline to complete nominations and applications for the inaugural Massey Prize is Dec. 3, 2010. More information can be found by visiting the Massey Prize page on the School of Law’s Web site.
A panel of distinguished academics and practitioners in law, business and finance will select a finalist from among the nominees and make a recommendation to Law School Dean Lawrence G. Sager. The selection committee will be announced and recognized at the conference.
For more information about the Massey Prize contact Tim Kubatzky, executive director of development, School of Law, 512-292-1939.
