The Alexander Mackie Research Fellowship

1. Background

a. This scholarship was established from donations made in 1942 by staff of the former Sydney Teachers' College to establish an award in recognition of the contributions made to Education by Alexander Mackie, Principal of the College from 1906 to 1940 and Professor of Education within the University of Sydney for thirty years.

b. This scholarship is to support an outstanding scholar with travel outside Australia for the purpose of promoting research in education, to obtain experience abroad and subsequently return and give the benefit of their experience to education in New South Wales.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be currently enrolled for full-time studies in a Masters by Research, Master of Philosophy or PhD within the Sydney School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney at the time of scholarship application closing date.

b. Applicants must conduct research in Education.

c. Applicants must be a graduate or undergraduate student of the University of Sydney, Sydney School of Education and Social Work.

d. Applicants must demonstrate a need to undertake travel overseas to conduct research as part of their Masters by Research, Master of Philosophy or PhD.

e. Applicants must be under 30 years of age.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:

I. academic merit,
II. area of study and outline of proposed research (no more than two pages),
III. detailed budget and itinerary including dates of travel,
IV. curriculum vitae,
V. a list of publications (if applicable),
VI. a letter of reference from a supervisor, and
VII. a personal statement which demonstrates their need to travel overseas and the importance of travel to the applicant’s research.

b. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship by a selection committee consisting of:

I. Head of School, Sydney School of Education and Social Work (Chair),
II. two professors in the Sydney School of Education and Social Work, and
III. The President of the New South Wales Teachers’ Federation.

4. Value

a. The scholarship will be valued at up to $18,000. The exact value of the scholarship shall be determined by the selection committee and outlined in the recipient’s Scholarship Offer Letter.

b. The Scholarship value will be paid as a once off payment after a receipt of the Scholarship Acceptance Form.

c. The Scholarship is tenable for one year.

d. Deferral or suspension of the Scholarship is not permitted without the prior permission of the Head of School, Sydney School of Education and Social Work.

e. The Scholarship cannot be transferred to another area of research.

f. No other amount is payable.

g. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funding.

5. Reporting

a. The Scholarship recipient must provide to the selection committee a short report on their research overseas within three months from its completion.

6. Other Requirements

a. The recipient must return to Australia within 3 years of being appointed to the Scholarship or after such time as the Committee shall appoint.

b. Recipients are required to maintain receipts for up to one year for all costs incurred that are relevant to this Scholarship.

c. Recipients may be required to produce these receipts if requested by the Sydney School of Education and Social Work.
7. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the recipient from their research degree,
II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
III. if the recipient ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval by Head of School, Sydney School of Education and Social Work has not been obtained to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis,
IV. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
V. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VI. if the recipient ceases to meet the eligibility requirements specified for this Scholarship, (other than during a period in which the Scholarship has been suspended or during a period of approved leave).

b. The Scholarship may also be terminated by the University before this time if, in the opinion of the University:

I. the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the terms of this offer,
II. the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress, or
III. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.

c. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

8. Misconduct

a. Where during the Scholarship a student engages in misconduct, or other inappropriate conduct (either during the Scholarship or in connection with the student’s application and eligibility for the Scholarship), which in the opinion of the University warrants recovery of funds provided, the University may require the student to repay payments made in connection with the Scholarship. Examples of such conduct include and without limitation; academic dishonesty, research misconduct within the meaning of the Research Code of Conduct (for example, plagiarism in proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research, or failure to declare or manage a serious conflict of interests), breach of the Code of Conduct for Students and misrepresentation in the application materials or other documentation associated with the Scholarship.

b. The University may require such repayment at any time during or after the Scholarship period. In addition, by accepting this Scholarship, the student consents to all aspects of any investigation into misconduct in connection with this Scholarship being disclosed by the University to the funding body and/or any relevant professional body.