Awards

SAERA Doctoral Dissertation Awards

The SAERA Doctoral Dissertation Award may be made annually to outstanding PhD theses awarded by a South African Higher Education Institution in the field of education.

Call for SAERA Doctoral Dissertation Awards

1. Criteria for an outstanding PhD thesis

1.1 Makes a substantial and original contribution to theoretical, empirical, and/or methodological knowledge in education.

1.2 Shows outstanding research quality, including rigour, transparency and validity/trustworthiness.

1.3 Has potential impact for policy-makers, practitioners, and other research users or provides a significant conceptual and theoretical contribution to its field.

1.4 The study has a transformative intent. There are indications that the research is aimed at advancing theories and methodologies in socially critical ways.

1.5 Evidence of published or submitted research outputs would strengthen the nomination.

2. Eligibility

2.1 The degree should have been awarded 3 May 2023 and 31 July 2024. ‘Degree awarded’ means when the University formally wrote to confirm the award rather than the graduation ceremony.

2.2 The nominee must be a South African citizen receiving a degree from a South African University.

3. Process of nomination

3.1 Any SAERA member may nominate an outstanding PhD thesis for the award.

3.2 The nominee will be invited to present their research at the annual conference.

3.3 The following documents must be submitted to rose@saera.co.za by 1st August 2024:

a. A completed nomination form;

b. A proposer’s statement of no more than 1,000 words in support of the nomination. The statement should clearly indicate how the work makes a significant contribution to education research against the relevant SAERA Doctoral Thesis Award criteria for assessment;

c. The examination reports (these may be anonymised if required by the rules of the HEI, and if requested by the examiners);

d. Proof of any publications emanating from the thesis that have been accepted for publication or published from the dissertation;

e. An electronic copy of the full dissertation.

4. The evaluation process

The SAERA executive will appoint a review panel, consisting of the deputy president of SAERA , two executive members of SAERA and two non-executive members of SAERA. The review panel will then make a recommendation of the award to the full executive of SAERA.

5. Award

The SAERA Doctoral Dissertation Award will be awarded at the annual conference. The recipient will be expected to present his/her work at the conference, and to write a summary of the study to be placed on the SAERA website. The recipient will be sponsored to attend the conference and receive SAERA membership for a year.

SAERA Research Honours Award

The SAERA Research Honours award may be made annually to individuals or a research entity for an outstanding contribution to educational research in South Africa.

Call for SAERA Research Honours Award 2025

1. Criteria for SAERA Research Honours Award

1.1 The individual/entity that has made a substantial contributed to the development of education research in South Africa over a sustained period of time.

1.2 This substantial contribution over a sustained period of time could include research outputs (e.g. sustained, excellent post-graduate supervision; journal articles and book chapters; edited and sole authored books) and/or through service to education research (e.g. role in South African research associations; research innovation/management positions).

2. Eligibility

2.1 The nominee should be a South African citizen/permanent resident. If an entity is nominated, it should be registered in South Africa.

3. Process of Nomination

3.1 Any SAERA member may nominate an individual/entity for the award.

3.2 The nominee will be invited to present their research at the annual conference.

3.3 The following documents should be submitted to rose@saera.co.za omce the call is open for 2026:

a. A completed nomination form signed by the nominator and nominee.

b. A nominator’s statement of maximum 1000 words in support of the nomination. The statement should clearly indicate how the nominee has contributed to the development of education research in South Africa.

c. The curriculum vitae of the nominee, and in the instance where a research entity is nominated, information about that entity in the form of its constitution, website or any other relevant details that describe it.

4. Evaluation process

The SAERA executive will appoint a review panel, consisting of the deputy president of SAERA, two executive members of SAERA and two non-executive members of SAERA. The review panel will then make a recommendation on the award to the full executive of SAERA.

5. Award

The SAERA Research Honours award will be presented at the annual conference. The recipient(s) will be expected to present an overview of their work at the conference. The recipient(s) will be sponsored for registration of the conference and will receive SAERA membership for the coming year.

SAERA Research Recognition Awards

The SAERA research recognition award is an award given to individuals who have made an outstanding, distinctive contribution to education research.

Call for SAERA Research Recognition Award 2025

1. Criteria for SAERA Research Recognition Award

1.1 A South African individual who has made an outstanding, distinctive contribution to a significant education issue that has national and/or global influence.

1.2 The outstanding, distinctive contribution could include research outputs, research opportunities and/or meaningful service to education research.

2. Eligibility

2.1 The nominee should be a South African citizen/permanent resident. If an entity is nominated, it should be registered in South Africa.

3. Process of nomination

3.1 Any SAERA member may nominate an individual/entity for the award.

3.2 The nominee will be invited to present their research at the annual conference.

3.3 The following documents should be submitted to rose@saera.co.za by 29 July 2024:

a. A completed nomination form signed by the nominator and nominee.

b. A nominator’s statement of maximum 1000 words in support of the nomination. The statement should clearly indicate what specific and noteworthy contribution was and argue for it being a significant education issue that has national and/or global influence. Supporting documents may be attached to validate the statement if wished.

c. The curriculum vitae of the nominee and in the instance where a research entity is nominated, information about that entity in the form of its constitution, website or any other relevant details that describe it.

4. Evaluation process

The SAERA executive will appoint a review panel, consisting of the deputy president of SAERA, two executive members of SAERA and two non-executive members of SAERA. The review panel will then make a recommendation on the award to the full executive SAERA.

5. Award

The SAERA Research Recognition award will be presented at the annual conference. The recipient(s) will be expected to present an overview of their work at the conference. The recipient(s) will be sponsored for registration of the conference and will receive SAERA membership for the coming year.