We are pleased to launch the Prize for Doctoral Scholarship and Research in Statistics Education, which recognises outstanding contributions to the scholarship of teaching and learning in statistics by current doctoral candidates and those who have been awarded their doctorate within the past two years. The prize offers a platform to showcase innovative and impactful work that enhances the teaching and learning of statistics, whether as part of a doctoral thesis or complementary to it.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Be currently undertaking a doctorate (PhD, EdD, or professional doctorate) at a UK university, or have completed one within two years of the application deadline (including all required corrections).
• Be involved in work that enhances statistics education – this may be through doctoral research, applied teaching innovations, curriculum development, or related scholarly activities.
We welcome applications from candidates working in any disciplinary area where the teaching and learning of statistics is a key focus. This includes, but is not limited to, statistics education, mathematics education, data science, health professions education, psychology, social sciences, and related fields. The Section recognises the multidisciplinary nature of statistics education and encourages diverse perspectives.
RSS membership is not required.
Judging Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated based on:
• Innovation and originality in the teaching or communication of statistics.
• Potential or demonstrated impact on learners or educators.
• Contribution to advancing the wider field of statistics education or to the scholarship of teaching and learning more broadly, e.g. through theory development, innovative practice, or dissemination of effective approaches.
• Use of relevant literature, frameworks, or pedagogical approaches.
We aim to balance recognition across research-based and practice-based contributions. Submissions will be judged by at least two reviewers, with oversight by the RSS Teaching Statistics Section Committee.
How to Apply
Candidates should submit the following:
• A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) written by the candidate, offering a lay summary of their work (whether part of their doctorate or parallel scholarship), its significance for statistics education or teaching, and reflections on its impact or potential.
• A supporting letter (maximum 2 pages) from a referee familiar with the work (e.g. supervisor, mentor, collaborator, or external examiner).
• Confirmation of the date of their viva (if applicable) and final approval (if completed).
Applications that do not include all the above will not be considered. CVs and publication lists will not be considered.
Submit via email to the Section’s email address (teachingstats@rss.org.uk) by 15 January 2026, with the subject line: Prize for Doctoral Scholarship and Research in Statistics Education.
Selection and Announcement
The winner will be selected by the Teaching Statistics Section committee. The winner will be notified via email and announced on the RSS website by the end of February 2026.
Award and Presentation
• One First Prize winner will receive a certificate and be invited to present their work at a future workshop of the RSS Teaching Statistics Section or at the upcoming RSS Conference 2026.
• Up to two additional prizes may be awarded (e.g. Highly Commended) to recognise other outstanding submissions. These recipients will also be invited to present at the same event.
The panel may decide not to award any prize if submissions do not meet the required standard. Questions about the competition may be directed to the Section’s email address (teachingstats@rss.org.uk).