IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT

ICSA Awards

ICSA’s awards recognize individuals whose contributions to the organization and to the field of cultic studies merit special distinction. Honors are granted to those who have demonstrated sustained excellence, ethical leadership, and meaningful impact within the cultic studies community. ICSA also recognizes distinguished contributors by inviting them to deliver the Paul R. Martin Memorial Lecture, which honors work advancing understanding of recovery, resilience, and the long-term effects of cultic involvement.

Awards and lectures are presented during ICSA’s Annual International Conference but are not granted on a fixed annual schedule.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Presented in recognition of sustained, long-term contributions to the field of cultic studies and to ICSA’s mission. This award honors individuals whose careers reflect enduring commitment, scholarly or professional excellence, and meaningful impact on research, education, practice, or public understanding of coercive control and high-control groups.

2026: Mike Kropveld
2025: Stephen Kent
2024: Ann Stamler
2023: Doni Whitsett
2022: Joseph Kelly
2018: Carol and Noel Giambalvo
2016: David Clark
2016: Joseph Szimhart
2013: Eileen Barker, Friedrich Griess

2011: Patrick L. Ryan
2010: William Goldberg

Breaking the Silence Award

Presented in honor of those whose courage has broken through significant barriers to bring forward narratives the public would not otherwise have heard — accounts that name the harms of cultic and coercive abuse and make them visible to the wider world. Through testimony, storytelling, journalism, film, or advocacy, recipients turn private suffering into public understanding, and in doing so make the next person’s voice a little easier to raise.

2026: Leah Remini and Michael Rinder

Herbert L. Rosedale Humanitarian Award

Presented in recognition of leadership in efforts to preserve and protect individual freedom, assist those harmed by high-control groups, and inform society about the ethical and legal dimensions of cultic phenomena. The award honors the legacy of Herbert L. Rosedale, former president of the American Family Foundation and a pioneering legal advocate whose work emphasized civil liberties, victim advocacy, and principled dialogue across legal, scholarly, and professional communities.

2026: Richard E. Kelly
2025: Arthur Buchman
2018: Rita Swan
2016: Steve K. D. Eichel
2014:  Rev. Robert and Judy Pardon
2013: Roberto Asquini; Cristina Caparesi
2012: Carolle Tremblay
2011: Daphne Vane
2010: Arthur A. Dole
2009: Francois Bellanger

2008: National Network of Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales (Japan)
2007: Michael Kropveld
2006: Paul L. Martin,  Rod Dubrow-Marshall,
2005: Josep Jansa, Miguel Perlado
2004: Alan Scheflin

Margaret T. Singer Award

Presented in recognition of significant contributions to advancing the understanding of coercive persuasion, undue influence, and psychological manipulation. The award honors Margaret Thaler Singer, a clinical psychologist, professor, and co-founder of ICSA whose pioneering research, clinical practice, and public education helped establish foundational frameworks for the study of cultic dynamics.

2026: Anke Richter
2025: Doug and Wendy Duncan
2024: Omar Saldana
2023: Gillie Jenkinson
2020: Debby Schriver
2018: Dan Shaw
2015: Diana Pletts
2014: Livia Bardin, Ann Stamler, Steven Hassan
2012: Stephen A. Kent
2011: Álvaro Rodríguez-Carballeira

2010: Leona Furnari, Carol Giambalvo, Rosanne Henry, Hal Mansfield, Joyce Martella, Michael Martella, and Nancy Miquelon
2009: Lorna Goldberg
2008: Carol Giambalvo
2007: Janja Lalich
2006: Arnold Markowitz
2005: Carmen Almendros
2004: Philip Elberg

Paul Martin Lecturer

The Paul R. Martin Memorial Lecture honors the memory of Dr. Paul R. Martin, founder of Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center, and a leading researcher, clinician, and advocate for individuals harmed by psychological manipulation and abuse. The lecture recognizes individuals whose work reflects Dr. Martin’s commitment to evidence-based recovery, compassionate care, and advancing understanding of the long-term effects of coercive control on individuals and families.

2024: Álvaro Rodríguez Carballeira
2018: Rod Dubrow-Marshall, Facilitator; Jon Caven-Atack, Linda Dubrow-Marshall, Gillie Jenkinson, Jill Mytton, Alex Stein, Christian Szurko
2016: Robert and Judy Pardon

2015: Gillie Jenkinson
2014: Alan Scheflin
2013: Lois Kendall
2012: Ron Burks
2011: Carmen Almendros
2010: Rod Dubrow-Marshall

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