The UC-wide Constantine Panunzio Distinguished Emeriti Award was established in 1983, and exemplifies the tremendous contributions of Emeriti to the continued excellence of the UC System (see https://emeritiassociation.ucdavis.edu/awards-and-recognition/constantine-panunzio-award). The award letter summarizes his contributions since becoming an Emeritus Professor in 2017:
Howard Giles, UC Santa Barbara, Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus of Communication, has retained his influence in the multi-disciplinary fields of social psychology of language and communication; intergenerational communication and aging; and intergroup communication more broadly. He is widely consider the leading scholar in these disciplines and is one of the ICA “Architects of Communication Scholarship.” His research productivity since retirement focuses on three domains: aging, Communication Accommodation Theory, which he founded, and police-community relations. Works include a co-authored book, eight special journal issues, 47 co-authored peer-reviewed articles, and numerous other publications and significant editorial work, in addition to national and international paper presentations.
Recognition has been bestowed upon him with two professional associations naming awards in his honor: the “Inaugural Giles Mentorship Award” From the International Association of Language & Social Psychology, and the “Howard Giles Top Student Paper Award” from the International Communication Association. His contributions include continued service to his campus, teaching, and mentorship. Since 2021 he has been an affiliate of UCSB’s Center for Aging & Longevity Studies. Post retirement he became a fellow in a number of societies, and in 2023 he was invited to become a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. In addition to his dedication to students and UCSB, his commitment to campus-community relationships is reflected in his service as the Director of the Volunteer in Policing Program for the Santa Barbara Police Department, earning him a nomination as the SBPD Civilian Supervisor of the Year Award. His involvement in this area of police-community relations has also results in collaborations with the police department, including a handbook on policing and communication, as well as an intervention program called VOICES that promotes dialog between the police and marginalized members of the community.