Michael Bransfield was a highly talented member of one of the department’s first Public History classes. An avid environmentalist, Michael hitchhiked across the country twice by himself, camping along the way. Here began his love affair with the national parks, especially Yosemite. Michael died prematurely in 1983 while completing an internship in Louisiana. His extensive personal library forms the basis of the department’s Public History book collection.
This prize was created in 2011 through a generous gift from Michael’s sister, Kate (Kathy) Bransfield, with support from Michael’s many friends and colleagues. It recognizes the best paper or project in Public History by a graduate or undergraduate student.
Interested in contributing to this award? Donate here.
Current and Previous Recipients
2026, Tara Acharya
2022, Jillian Wertzberger
2021, No Award
2020, Sierra Brown and Nicky Rehnberg
2019, Julia Madden-Fulk, ‘From “Early Days” to Alcatraz: A History of Native American Engagement with Public Space in California, 1890 – Present’
2018, Nora Kassner, “Moving History: Rethinking Migrations Past and Present at Santa Barbara’s El Presidio State Park”
2017, Mariel Aquino, “The Indians of Europe’: Basques, Indigeneity, and Ethnonationalism.”
2016, Cheryl Frei, “Shaping and Contesting the Past: Monuments, Memory, and Argentine Identity, 1811 to the Present.”
2015, Melissa Barthelemy, “We Remember Them: Acts of Love and Compassion in Isla Vista.”
2014, Zachary McKiernan, “The Public History of a Concentration Camp: Tales of Tragedy and Hope at the National Stadium of Chile.”
2013, Stacy Blackburn, “Museums Present: Websites as a Medium to Interpret and to Engage.”
2012, Tory Inloes, The Representation and Education of Children in Twentieth-Century Museums.”
2011, Elena Olivera, “If Only She Could Speak for Herself: Public Representations of a Nineteenth-century Channel Islands Woman, 1840s-2000s.”