Conway will receive the award on October 2 during the 2026 Biennial NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education Conference in Long Beach, California. Her career, which began in New York public schools in 1988 before moving into higher education in 1995, has been defined by a prolific output of peer-reviewed scholarship. According to 2025 data from the Elsevier Data Repository, she ranked as the eighth most cited music education researcher internationally in 2024.

Beyond her publication record—which includes over 110 articles—Conway is credited with legitimizing qualitative inquiry within music education. Colleagues highlight her role in revitalizing the University of Michigan’s doctoral program and her sustained commitment to collaborative mentorship. NAfME President Cecil Adderley noted that the award reflects not only her academic rigor but also her significant impact on the professional development of students and peers throughout the industry.