Jeff Northfield Memorial Award for Excellence in Teacher Research

We established the annual Jeff Northfield Memorial Award for Excellence in Teacher Research in 2005 in recognition of the importance of Jeff Northfield’s work in supporting and conducting teacher research. The recipient receives a cheque for AUD$1,000 and a certificate in recognition of the award.

We award the Jeff Northfield Memorial Award for Excellence in Teacher Research to one recipient each year, who demonstrates an ongoing and current commitment to teacher research.

Award recipients:

  • 2026: Birra-liWard
  • 2025: Michelle Maglitto
  • 2024: Yvonne Reilly
  • 2023: Kim Dang
  • 2022: Laura Alfrey
  • 2021: Peta White
  • 2020: Simon Lindsay
  • 2019: Jennifer Mansfield
  • 2018: Elizabeth Shepherd
  • 2017: James Russo and Andrew Wilkinson
  • 2016: Lucy Rutherford

Eligibility

The award is open to a teacher who demonstrates an ongoing and current commitment to teacher research at a Victorian school

Recipients will have demonstrated a continuing commitment to the

  • generation of teacher knowledge
  • exploration of the value of this knowledge with other teachers.

What is ‘teacher research’?

Teacher research, as defined for this award, includes all research into teaching, conducted by a teacher. The award celebrates Monash’s long tradition in the kind of research that Jeff was so prescient in championing:

  • research by teachers into teaching
  • learning and change in “classrooms” (defined more broadly than school classrooms) that results in the kinds of knowledge that has the potential to directly inform and enrich practice.

Applications

Selection criteria

Applicants must demonstrate their ongoing and current commitment to teacher research through the following criteria:

  1. A continuing, long-term commitment to the generation of teacher knowledge in a specific domain or topic, and to collaboratively exploring its value with other teachers.
  2. A commitment to the promotion of their ideas and research with teachers and other relevant groups, for example, workshops provided, conferences attended, articles published, resources developed, etc
  3. Clear evidence of the impact of their work in their professional context. In many cases, this will mean within their school. However, it could mean an impact wider than this. For example, comparable school or student improvement data, contributions to resources now used in other schools, citations, uptake of initiatives, evidence of impact from stakeholders, etc.
  4. A continuing commitment to working with teachers and schools (or if relevant, another professional context), and through providing leadership in their profession. For example, through a professional association, Department, work with a University, leading Professional Learning, etc

Submission requirements

Applicants must submit:

  • A document addressing each of the 4 selection criteria (max 200 words per criterion). You may refer to your CV in your written statement where appropriate.
  • To help the selection panel better understand the research basis of your work, please include a brief explanation of how your work qualifies as research.
  • This explanation should clearly articulate the research component of your work and how it contributes to educational knowledge, understanding, or innovation. Applications that focus solely on professional development or teaching activities without a research dimension may not meet the award criteria.
  • A CV
  • A written reference (e.g., from a colleague, stakeholder etc.), in support of this application, based on the criteria provided
  • Optional: A labelled appendix to further support the evidence provided in your application (3 pages maximum).
  • Applications should be sent via email to edu-alumni@monash.edu.

Application period

Applications for the 2026 award has been closed.

Award presentation

The recipient will be presented with their award at the Faculty of Education Scholarships and Awards Evening.

Enquiries

For any questions regarding the award, please contact