This Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award is a competitive, merit-based honour recognising exceptional doctoral research in the field of Bourdieusian sociology of education. The award celebrates a thesis that demonstrates a profound engagement with Bourdieu’s relational and reflexive sociology, addressing structures, strategies, and struggles that perpetuate and/or challenge educational inequalities and power imbalances, proposing actionable agendas for social change. The thesis applies Bourdieu's thinking tools systematically through his epidemiological trio of construction of research project, field analysis, and participant objectivation. Recipients of this award exemplify outstanding Bourdieusian scholarship, with original, rigorous research that addresses pressing educational issues in local and global contexts, demonstrating methodological excellence and making substantial theoretical and empirical contributions to Bourdieusian sociology of education and the broader educational research. This award underscores the importance of innovative research that advances Bourdieusian thought, offering insights that can inform educational policy and practice and fuel social transformation.
Eligibility criteria:
1.Thesis should be completed at the doctoral level, including Doctor of Philosophy and Professional Doctorate (e.g., EdD).
2.Thesis by monograph and thesis by publication are both eligible.
3.At the time of nomination for the Award, the doctoral degree should have been conferred within the past 24 months. For those whose doctoral degree has not yet been conferred, an official completion letter or its equivalent is required.
4.Thesis may be completed in any language and in any country, while the nomination for the Award must be written in English.
Call for self-nominations:
1.Evidence of meeting the eligibility criteria 1-4
2.A two-page statement outlining the significance and impact of the thesis, with particular emphasis on its contributions to Bourdieusian sociology of education (Supporting evidence may be attached, if considered helpful)
3.A one-page statement outlining the context of thesis completion/impact relative to opportunities (one page maximum)
4.A letter of support from someone qualified to comment on the contribution of the thesis
5.A structured thesis data form providing key details of the thesis, such as thesis abstract and a link to thesis, type of degree (PhD by monograph, PhD by publication, EdD), commencement and completion date, mode of study (full-time, part-time), duration (full-time equivalent), publications from thesis or plans for publication, thesis metrics
Please submit your application package to the SIG Chair at michael.mu@unisa.edu.au by 31 September 2025.
We are also inviting experienced thesis-examiners to join the Award Committee. If you are willing to serve, please email michael.mu@unisa.edu.au