Red Cedar Distinguished Professor Kevin C. Elliott recently received the William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award at the 2026 Michigan State University All-University Awards Celebration. Elliott holds a joint appointment in the Science and Society faculty group of Lyman Briggs College and in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The annual award recognizes MSU tenure-system faculty members for their comprehensive and sustained record of scholarly excellence in research and/or creative activities, instruction, and outreach. There were ten awardees in 2026.
Elliott is an internationally recognized and acclaimed scholar of ethics in science whose work examines how social values, interests, and communication practices shape research and policy—especially in environmental and public health contexts. Elliott has collaborated with scientific and regulatory bodies such as the National Academy of Sciences, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the World Health Organization, informing their work.
Among Elliott’s many contributions to applied ethics and the philosophy of science is his leadership in the 2026 National Institutes of Health-funded New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) Decision Center at Texas A&M University. This interdisciplinary, collaborative research project seeks to advance human health protections while reducing reliance on animal testing by developing faster, more effective approaches to chemical safety assessment. Elliott and another MSU faculty member, John Besley, are leading the center's mission to create the conditions for public trust in new test methods by pairing the center’s research with reflection on its social implications.
In the past, Elliott collaborated with several multi-institutional interdisciplinary research teams on NSF-funded projects, exploring team science and how workplace/academic climates impact the attitudes and outcomes of minoritized and marginalized scholars.
He has authored several influential books on values in science, including A Tapestry of Values: An Introduction to Values in Science (2017); Values in Science (2022); and Is a Little Pollution Good for You: Incorporating Societal Values in Environmental Research (2011); and recently co-edited The Routledge Handbook of Values and Science (2026).
In addition to his research portfolio, Elliott has taught a range of LBC courses that help science majors understand the ethical contexts of science, from the LBC first-year writing class “Introduction to Science and Society” to upper-level courses on environmental issues, to senior capstones on “Science and Values.” Students frequently claim that his courses are among the best they have taken at MSU. As one student wrote, “Kevin Elliott is an exceptional role model for students and peers alike. He inspires his students’ passions for the course material by leading fruitful discussions in his classroom, ensuring all students feel respected and can freely share their views.”
Elliott writes, “I’m so grateful to the leadership of LBC for nominating me for this award. The opportunities in LBC and Fisheries and Wildlife to engage in interdisciplinary scholarship have been central to my career advancement, and my work has also been enriched by engaging with our wonderful students. I’m very fortunate to have received so much support at MSU from students, colleagues, and administrators.”
LBC Dean Kendra Spence Cheruvelil shares, "Dr. Elliott's work exemplifies what it means to be a faculty member at Lyman Briggs College — rigorous scholarship on environmental issues and inclusive academic cultures and a genuine commitment to leading classroom discussions with humility and care. As our Faculty Excellence Advocate, Kevin also fostered a sense of belonging in the college and helped early-career scholars thrive. This award is a well-deserved recognition of Kevin’s performance as a faculty member."