Thesis Award for Studies in Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability and Psychology

The APS People with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities and Psychology Interest Group invites nominations for the Thesis Award for Studies in Intellectual and or Developmental Disability and Psychology.

The Award promotes the development of honors, graduate diploma and higher degree research in the field of intellectual and other development disabilities within the discipline of psychology.

Administration

1. The APS Psychology of Intellectual Disability and Autism Interest Group will be responsible for administering the Award and for the funding of the Award.
2. The National Committee for the Interest Group will appoint a selection committee of at least three (3) members of the Interest Group to be responsible for selecting an appropriate Award winner.
3. The Award will be announced in InPsych, and presented at the annual meeting of the Interest Group.

Eligibility

Nominees must have submitted their thesis within one (1) year of the date of nominating for the Award.

One successful candidate will be selected from nominees who have completed either an APAC-accredited 4th year (Honours) or 5th year or MPsych program.

A second successful candidate will be selected from nominees who have recently completed a Professional Doctorate or PhD in psychology.

Nomination process

1. A call for nominations for the Award should:
   1. be advertised in the appropriate edition of InPsych, and
   2. be provided to the Heads of Department of each tertiary institution that has independent membership of the Australian Vice-Chancellors‟ Committee.
2. Nominations may be accepted from the nominee or, with the agreement of the nominee, a supervisor, or colleague of the nominee, or a Head of Department.
3. Nominations for an Award must be supported by a proposer and seconder, who might or might not be members of the Interest Group.
4. Nominations should include the names of two (2) referees, both of whom must be members of the Society and/or Interest Group.
5. Nominations are to be made by submitting the thesis title and abstract, and the report of the thesis examiners by the date set in the call for nominations.

Selection criteria

In judging the nominations for the Thesis Awards for Studies in Psychology of Intellectual Disability and Autism, the selection committee will assess the scientific merit of the thesis and the contribution of the research to theory and/or practice in the field of the psychology of intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Value of the award

Successful candidates for the Thesis Award for Studies in Psychology of Intellectual Disability and Autism Interest Group will receive an award of $500 and be presented with a certificate.

Closing date

Nomination close dates for 2021/2022 are as follows:

For Honours and Masters thesis: 31st December 2021

For PhD and Doctorate thesis: 28 February 2022.

To nominate for this award, click here.