The award has been given annually since 2000 to professors who significantly influence international studies scholarship. Of the 13 winners to date, only two have been from undergraduate departments, and both of those are TCU faculty. Dr. Ralph Carter, another professor in TCU's political science department, won the award in 2006.

Dr. Scott’s primary research and teaching interests are in international relations and foreign policy analysis. He has special interests in U.S. foreign policy-making, the role of Congress, and U.S. democracy promotion. He has authored/co-authored/edited seven books and well over 100 journal articles, book chapters, other non-refereed publications, review essays, and conference papers.

To date, Scott has been awarded nearly $1 million in external funding from various agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the Dirksen Congressional Center, and $20,000 in internal awards from the universities at which he has served.

During his career, Scott has been an award-winning teacher, earning over two dozen teaching awards from students, faculty, administration, and professional associations from 1996-2007, including his university’s highest awards for research (2000, 2001), teaching (2002) and research mentoring (2002). Scott joined TCU in August 2011, following his most recent position as the head of Oklahoma State University’s political science department.