The UW Department of Sociology is pleased to announce Caroline Teague is the recipient of the 2026 Crutchfield-Tolnay Award.
Established in the fall of 2024, the Crutchfield-Tolnay Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research is given annually to an undergraduate who has made strong contributions to either independent or collaborative research in the Department of Sociology. In addition to being recognized at our annual department graduation event, the recipient receives a $1000 award.
Robert Crutchfield chaired the Department of Sociology from 1998 to 2003 and again from 2008 to 2011, while Stewart Tolnay chaired the department from 2003 to 2008. Both were excellent mentors for scores of students and provided excellent mentorship of undergraduate students engaging in their first experiences with research.
Caroline Teague, a fourth-year undergraduate student and research assistant in the Department of Sociology has achieved many accomplishments in her time at the University of Washington.
“I love sociology because I truly enjoy learning about people and social problems and I am inspired by the practical applications of social science research to improve these problems,” says Teague.
Students are nominated by Sociology professors, instructors, and TAs and selected by the department’s Awards & Community Life Committee, which then makes its recommendations to the Chair. Only graduating seniors are eligible.
One of her professors commented “Caroline’s research stood out for the range of social issues it addressed. From homelessness and transportation to social networks and survey participation among difficult to reach populations. Across these projects, Caroline demonstrated a commitment to rigorous research in service of better public understanding and better public policy.”
Caroline intends to pursue a PhD and work in consulting or government.
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