Beth Southwell Practical Implications Award

The Beth Southwell Practical Implications Award (BSPIA) recognises high-quality mathematics education that produces insights for the teaching profession and/or student learning.

The award consists of $500 and a plaque to be presented at the conference.

The award recipient/s will be invited to present a plenary at the conference and share a blog-style post about their work via the MERGA website and newsletter.

If you have any questions about the award, please contact Vice President: Development: vp.development@merga.net.au.

Recent Winners

Jennifer Way & Katherin Cartwright

Jill Fielding, Saidat Adeniji & Penelope Baker

Dianne Siemon, Rosemary Callingham, Lorraine Day, Marj Horne, Rebecca Seah, Max Stephens & Jane Watson

Margaret Thomas, Doug Clarke, Andrea McDonough & Philip Clarkson

Bob Perry, Ann Gervasoni, Anne Hampshire & Will O’Neill

Jodie Hunter

Applying for entry into the BSPIA

Nominations for the Beth Southwell Practical Implications Award:

Nomination via peer-review: Anyone who submits a conference paper for peer-review will be considered for nomination by the reviewers. 

Self-nomination: When you submit your conference paper, check the box that asks if you would like to apply for the BSPIA.

Single and co-authored papers are eligible for consideration. When you write your paper, please ensure that you observe all general paper submission requirements including the maximum page length. We are no longer requiring the submission of an additional two-pages.

Judging of the BSPIA

Submissions must be deemed eligible for publication in the Conference Proceedings by the initial reviewing panel. Submissions accepted for presentation only will be excluded from consideration.

The judging panel will consist of two MERGA members and two AAMT nominees and will be chaired by the VP Development.

The judging criteria are:

  • Identification of a persistent and significant research problem
  •  Synthesis of recent research literature and relevant policy initiatives
  • Robust methodology producing valid, reliable findings
  • Insightful discussion of practical implications for the teaching profession and/or student learning
  • Clear, succinct style of academic writing

Winners are notified four weeks prior to the conference.

History of the Award

The Beth Southwell Practical Implications Award was initiated and sponsored by the National Key Centre for Teaching and Research in School Science and Mathematics, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia. Curtin sponsored the “Practical Implications Award”, as it was known for the first ten years. The Award is now sponsored by the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT). In 2008, MERGA was honoured to be able to rename the PIA as the Beth Southwell Practical Implications Award, in honour of MERGA’s and AAMT’s esteemed late member, .

Past Winners

2024   Jennifer Way & Katherin Cartwright

2023   Jill Fielding, Saidat Adeniji & Penelope Baker

2018   Dianne Siemon, Rosemary Callingham, Lorraine Day, Marj Horne Rebecca Seah, Max Stephens & Jane Watson

2017   Margaret Thomas, Doug Clarke, Andrea McDonough & Philip Clarkson

2016   Bob Perry, Ann Gervasoni, Anne Hampshire & Will O’Neill

2015   Jodie Hunter

2013   Peter Gould

2012   Michael Cavanagh

2011   Katie Makar

2008   Roberta Hunter

2007   Janette Bobis

2006   Sue Wilson & Steve Thornton

2005   Jane Watson

2003   Tracey Smith

2002   Len Sparrow & Sandra Frid

2001   Tracey Smith & Tom Lowrie

2000   Merrilyn Goos

1999   Shelley Dole

1997   Lyn English

1996   Glenda Anthony

1995   Vince Geiger

1994   Anne Gooding

1993   Margaret Taplin