International Visual Literacy Association Announces 2024 John L. Debes Award

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Contact: Jackie Huddle, International Visual Literacy Association

Email: jkflemin@iu.edu 

INTERNATIONAL VISUAL LITERACY ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES JOHN L. DEBES AWARD WINNER

San Diego, California Maria D. Avgerinou, PhD.,  was awarded the International Visual Literacy Association’s (IVLA) John L. Debes Award at the 56th annual conference held in San Diego, California this October. 

The John L. Debes Award is the highest award that the IVLA gives. Established in 1977, in John Debes’ own words, it is reserved for “people who have been strong leaders both in building and maintaining the Association” and have been active in “promoting visual literacy outside the organization”. It recognizes a long-term active commitment to the advancement of understanding in the field of visual communication as well as a proven and exceptional commitment to the organization. Maria has been an invaluable asset to the organization as well as the organization’s journal, the Journal of Visual Literacy. She has acted as the Editor of the JVL since 2012, directing the research focus of visual literacy efforts in the academic sphere. For the IVLA, she has acted as the Editor of the Book of Selected Readings for two terms (2006-2012), in addition to serving as the IVLA President from 2008-2011 and the Vice President from 2003-2006. In addition to those duties, she has served in several leadership capacities as the Chair of the International Presence Committee (2000-2008), Chair Awards Committee (2005-2008; co-chair, 2010-2011), and Moderator of the IVLA Electronic Discussion List from 1996-2010. Dana Thompson, the current IVLA President had this to say, “Maria has contributed invaluable research to the field of visual literacy for almost thirty years (her most memorable, in my mind, is from 1997). With 10 peer reviewed journal articles, 34 book chapters, and umpteen publications in refereed conference proceedings, it is hard to imagine what the field would look like without her findings and contributions. In short, Maria has devoted much of her academic career to the field of visual literacy and should be recognized for her service.” Maria has certainly contributed long-term active commitment to the advancement of understanding in the field of visual communication as well as a proven and exceptional commitment to the organization.

Winners are selected by an awards committee composed of IVLA members. For any questions in the meantime, contact Dr. Kazuyo Kubo, Awards Committee Chair, at kkubo@lesley.edu

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Founded in 1968, the International Visual Literacy Association is an interdisciplinary organization of professionals working toward a fuller understanding of the way we derive meaning from what we see and the way we interact with our visual environment. For more information about IVLA, please visit  https://ivla.org/