Criteria and forms of merit
Recognition considers pioneering achievement, professional excellence and transformational contribution, assessed through documented evidence and category-specific criteria.
Three forms of merit
What counts as significant achievement
These are distinct forms of merit; no candidate is expected to satisfy every form.
- 01
Pioneering achievement
Breaking credible professional barriers or holding substantive, historically rare positions.
- 02
Professional excellence
Distinguished expertise, sustained achievement and responsibility in a demanding field.
- 03
Transformational contribution
Meaningful improvements in institutions, services, knowledge, communities or opportunities.
Scoring
Point-weighted criteria (100 points)
C01 Leadership & Public Service uses six criteria. Categories C02–C10 share the five-criterion model.
| # | Criterion | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Demonstrated impact | 25 |
| 02 | Verified achievements | 20 |
| 03 | Leadership and professional excellence | 20 |
| 04 | Sustainability and lasting contribution | 15 |
| 05 | Innovation and overcoming significant challenges | 10 |
| 06 | Pioneering leadership & professional advancement | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
| # | Criterion | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Demonstrated impact | 30 |
| 02 | Verified achievements | 25 |
| 03 | Leadership and professional excellence | 20 |
| 04 | Sustainability and lasting contribution | 15 |
| 05 | Innovation and overcoming significant challenges | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Governance notes
Rules that protect the process
- 01
Three forms of merit are alternatives
A nominee need not show all three forms of merit.
- 02
No double credit
Pioneering credit is not automatic and must not duplicate professional-excellence credit.
- 03
Independent confirmation
Historic “first woman” or rare-title claims require independent confirmation.
- 04
Judges alone score
Referrals are not rankings; judges alone provide independent scores.
- 05
Conflicts declared
Judges are expected to declare conflicts and recuse themselves where appropriate.
Recognition should rest on credible achievements and meaningful contribution, not simply on visibility or popularity.
Recognition process
From referral to recognition
Recommend, verify, assess, confirm — and what a referral is not.