Early Childhood Australia is currently accepting nominations for its Doctoral Thesis Award from all Australian universities with early childhood doctoral students.

Nominations close 30 June 2008.

The award was established by Early Childhood Australia in 1995 to encourage Australian early childhood research and to recognise the excellence of early childhood research undertaken by doctoral students in Australia.

The 2008 Doctoral Thesis Award

The Early Childhood Australia Doctoral Thesis Award comprises:

• a citation delivered with the presentation of the award at the 2008 Early Childhood Australia National Conference
• a return airfare to the 2008 Early Childhood Australia National Conference
• an engraving of the awardees name on the perpetual trophy, held in the Early Childhood Australia National Office
• an invitation to present findings of research at the 2008 Early Childhood Australia National Conference.

Selection criteria

In order to be eligible for selection for the 2008 Early Childhood Australia Doctoral Thesis Award, the thesis must:

• further knowledge of early childhood
• make a contribution to the theoretical, empirical and/or methodological knowledge in early childhood—defined as birth to eight years of age
• contribute to improvements in early childhood practice and/or pioneer innovation in care and education practice
• demonstrate excellence in early childhood practice
• be a thorough, original and well-presented piece of research suitable for dissemination among the early childhood profession

The doctorate must have been awarded after 30 June 2005 and the nominee must be an individual member of Early Childhood Australia.

Previous awards

Previous Early Childhood Australia Doctoral Thesis Awards recipients include:

• Michelle Ortlipp (2005)
• Kerry Daly (2003)
• Louise Porter (2001)
• Susan Danby (1999)
• Joy Goodfellow (1997)

Submission requirements

Nominations must include:

• name, contact details and credentials of the nominee
• name, contact details and credentials of the nominator
• university details
• examiners' reports
• a copy of the thesis
• an overview of the thesis.

Nominations should be sent to:

Doctoral Thesis Award Committee
PO Box 7105
Watson ACT 2602
T: (02) 6242 1800
F: (02) 6242 1818
E: awards@earlychildhood.org.au