Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) Ray Debus Award

This award recognises excellence in educational research by doctoral students. Normally only one award will be made each year. It is seen by the Association as a way of recognising the high-quality contribution made to educational knowledge by graduate students, and at the same time promoting dissemination of research.

Anyone who has been awarded a doctoral degree from an Australian institution in the two years prior to 30 June in the year of the award is eligible. Theses accepted for the degree after this date may be nominated in the following year.

Nominations may be made from qualified Faculties, Schools or Departments of Education, or from other relevant parts of the University where doctoral theses in the field of education research are produced. Nominations are made by the Dean or other relevant Head, and self nominations are not accepted.

No more than one nomination may be made in any one year from each university. Nominations are accepted until the above-mentioned due date.

The main criterion for assessment of excellence in doctoral research in education will be the contribution made to theoretical, empirical, and/or methodological knowledge in education. In particular, preference will be given to studies which:

make a conceptual advance in educational theory, policy and practice;
point to the methods of improving educational practice or pioneer innovation;
contribute through disciplined research to knowledge on which new educational practices may be based; or
contribute to advances in methodology of educational research, evaluation and dissemination.

Other criteria include

Originality and thoroughness in carrying through the research;
Quality of presentation of the work;
Other things being equal, theses which are judged readily adaptable to scholarly and professional dissemination will be preferred;
Given that the above criteria are met, no preference will be given to any particular substantive issues that might be addressed.