Geoff Whitty Prize for Doctoral Research open for applications

This year we are once again honoured to mark the late Professor Geoff Whitty’s contribution to the field of education, facilitated by a generous donation from his estate, with an annual Geoff Whitty Prize for Doctoral Research of £2,000. The Prize was launched during IOE's 120th anniversary during 2022.

An educator and sociologist, Professor Whitty led IOE as its Director from 2000-2010. He was always supportive of early career researchers, often collaborating with them on research and publications, and took a more general interest in the sustainability of the field of education studies, particularly the sociology of education. It is also notable that during his time as IOE Director he instigated a doctoral thesis prize as well as the post-doctoral John Adams Fellowships. In keeping with Geoff’s sense that the sociology of education should have greater influence in public and policy debate in the pursuit of social justice in and through education, the prize enables us to recognise the importance of public engagement as well as academic contribution. 

Who is eligible 

Those eligible to submit their thesis for consideration for this year’s prize are IOE doctoral students (EdD and PhD) who have passed their viva voce exam and completed and have had approved any corrections, resulting in the receipt of “Confirmation of Award” email from the Research Degrees office from 1 May 2023 until 29 February 2024. Awards after that date will be eligible for the following year’s prize round. 

All current eligible IOE doctoral students have been contacted by email and on Moodle.

How to apply 

Applicants are required to set out how the prize will be spent in order to promote their doctoral research and support stakeholders to engage with the findings, and, as appropriate, build their research career/ongoing contribution to their field of research.

Application forms

1. Applicants should complete the Application form (form A)
2. Their principal supervisor should complete the Recommendation Form (form B) 

Both forms should be emailed to ioe.cde@ucl.ac.uk. If the principal supervisor is unavailable, the subsidiary supervisor can submit their recommendation instead. The deadline is 17:00 on Friday 15 March 2024. 

The winner will be required to provide a summary of their PhD/EdD, which will then be published on faculty channels, take part in other IOE communications as agreed, and make a presentation at the subsequent IOE Doctoral School Summer Conference on their research and how they have communicated it. 

We are looking forward to receiving applications and eligible candidates will be contacted through email.

Dr Richard Freeman 
Head of the Centre for Doctoral Education