This annual award is made by SERA to an early career educational researcher for excellence and promise in their work.

In 2007, in recognition of Estelle Brisard’s significant and outstanding contribution to educational research in Scotland, SERA created an annual prize in her memory. Further information about the prize, and Estelle and her work, can be viewed here.

The prize is awarded for the best research paper written by an early career researcher based in Scotland and is presented annually at the SERA conference.  For the 2024 award, submissions should be made by 31st August 2024, 5pm.

The award consists of:

• A cash prize of £250 and certificate
• Free conference attendance at the next in-person SERA Conference, including conference dinner ticket for the winner and a partner

The winner will also be encouraged to submit their paper for consideration by the Scottish Educational Review (SER) and to work on their paper in order to present it at the SERA conference.

Eligibility: the competition is open to all of those who are at an early stage in their educational research careers. This is likely to include Masters and doctoral students (including those who have obtained their M-level/PhD within the last three years), educational practitioners working in schools or in adult and community settings, and lecturers/tutors who are early career researchers in further or higher education.

In addition to the research paper (3000 word limit with no tolerance), , submissions should include a statement of up to 100 words outlining the candidate’s research experience, current activity and aspirations.

The judging panel will consist of four members of the SERA Executive Committee.

All emails regarding this prize must be sent to: Dr Charlaine Simpson. 

Extended deadline for submissions: Friday 27th September, 2024 – 5pm.

Downloadable documents:

1. Estelle Brisard Award 2024, Background and Information
2. Estelle Brisard Award 2024, Flyer
3. Estelle Brisard Award 2024, Extended Deadline Flyer

 

Previous Estelle Brisard Memorial Prize Winners:

• Dr. Shagufta Shafqah Chandi – University of Glasgow (2012)
• Mr. David Johnston – University of Aberdeen (2013)
• Dr. Kirsten Darling – University of Aberdeen (2014)
• Dr. Denise Mifsud – University of West of Scotland (2015).
  • At the 2015 edition, the submission from Anna Wilson (University of Stirling) was highly commended.
• Tracey Hughes – PhD student at University of Stirling (2016)
• Dr Jennifer Farrar – University of Glasgow (2017)
• Omolabake Fakunle – University of Edinburgh (2018)
• Dr Alexia Barrable – University of Dundee (2019)
• Dr Murray Craig – University of Edinburgh (2020)
• Ms Eneida Garcia Villanueva – University of Glasgow (2021)
• Denise McGee-Dewar – University of Edinburgh (2022)
• Kirstin Campbell – 2023
• Mingzheng Hu – University of Edinburgh (2024)