Awards

The Leithwood Award: the OISE Outstanding Thesis of the Year

2011 Kenneth Leithwood Outstanding Thesis Award recipient Kelly Gallagher-Mackay investigates how schools and child protection agencies work together to support abused and neglected children living at home, to improve collaboration between teachers and child welfare workers and help vulnerable families improve childrens' chances for educational success. Kelly graduated with a PhD in Educational Administration on June 7, 2012.

The Leithwood Award: the OISE OUTSTANDING THESIS OF THE YEAR is a cash award supported by funds raised on the occasion of the retirement of Dr. Ken Leithwood, and by the OISE Dean’s Office. The competition is open for doctoral theses in education completed at OISE between January 1, and December 31. Studies using any research approach (ethnographic, experimental, historical, survey, etc.) are encouraged. Each study will be assessed in light of this approach, the scholarly quality of the dissertation, and the significance of its contributions to knowledge in education.

This Award was created under the auspices of Dr. Leithwood when he was Associate Dean of OISE. During Dr. Leithwood’s long career at OISE, he supervised close to 90 doctoral dissertations. His graduates are now on the faculty of most Educational Administration programs in North America. His research on educational leadership and educational change has contributed to shaping theory, policy and practice in most jurisdictions in Canada, and indeed, across the English-speaking world. His work in England, the United States and Australia has guided the formation of policy on leadership development, educational reform, and teacher practice. In light of this close connection between Dr. Leithwood’s research and the practice of education across the country, and the exceptional work he has done with so many graduate students, and the high standards he has set for research in the academy, this award has been named in his honor. Funds contributed by his colleagues and his students will ensure that this award continue to celebrate the finest scholarly work in educational research in this country.

PURPOSE OF THE AWARD

The purpose of the award is to recognize exceptional, stimulating, and cutting-edge research produced by doctoral students in the last phase of their graduate work. This award gives us an opportunity to celebrate the splendid quality and diversity of scholarly interests among our doctoral students.