REDI PhD student wins award at mathematics education conference

REDI PhD student Lei Bao was Highly Commended for the Beth Southwell Practical Implications Award at the 2024 Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA) conference held from 30 June to 4 July.

Deakin was represented by five mathematics education researchers at this year’s conference, including REDI’s Associate Professor Jill Brown, Dr Kerryn Driscoll, Lei Bao, Dr Jiqing Sun and John Lawton.

‘I am delighted that Lei was Highly Commended for the Beth Southwell Practical Implications Award. This is a very important moment for him. It was also the first time that two such commendations were awarded in one year, as the quality of contenders for the Award was so high,’ said Associate Professor Jill Brown.

Lei Bao, a PhD student in mathematics education being supervised by REDI members Dr Lihua Xu and Associate Professor Wanty Widjaja, received the Highly Commended certificate for his nominated paper ‘An Analysis of Multiplicative Thinking Development in Years 3 to 6’. The Beth Southwell Practical Implications Award recognises high-quality mathematics education that produces insights for the teaching profession and/or student learning.

‘My PhD student, John Lawton, was attending MERGA for the first time and successfully presented on the progress of his PhD project,’ said Associate Professor Brown.

MERGA is committed to growing a research community that shapes the future of mathematics education through quality research. MERGA provides a range of forums for sharing research findings that speak to how important issues in mathematics education might be effectively addressed. MERGA also seeks ways to influence policy makers to improve both the preparation of teachers of mathematics and mathematics teaching and learning.

Left to right: Dr Kerryn Driscoll, Associate Professor Jill Brown, Lei Bao, Dr Jiqing Sun.

News 11 July 2024
Share: