2025 Eminent Researcher Award
Professor Sarah Powell
The Eminent Researcher Award is sponsored for LDA by Routledge – Taylor and Francis, publishers of the Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties. The Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties Eminent Researcher Award is designed to recognise significant contributions by eminent researchers in the field of learning difficulties and is awarded by invitation. The recipient of the 2025 Eminent Researcher Award is Professor Sarah Powell.
Professor Powell currently holds a professorship in the Department of Special Education at the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Centre College, a Master of Education in School Administration from Vanderbilt University and a PhD in Special Education, also from Vanderbilt University.
Professor Powell has been involved in research projects that have attracted external funding in excess of US$38 million. She is the author of well over 100 journal articles, books, and book chapters.
Professor Powell’s research has focused on evidence-based mathematics instruction, including interventions for students with learning difficulties and disabilities. This work includes looking at how to predict responsiveness and make maths interventions more intensive in a multi-level framework such as RTI.
She has also made a significant contribution in the area of language and mathematics, researching such topics as maths vocabulary instruction and maths writing, and is particularly well-known for her work on maths word problems.
Congratulations to Professor Sarah Powell!
For further information about the AJLD Eminent Researcher Award and list of previous receipients click here.
2025 The AJLD Early Career Researcher Award
There is no recipient for this award in 2025.
For further information about the AJLD Early Career Researcher Award and list of previous recipients, click here.
2025 The Mona Tobias Award
Dr Alison Madelaine
The LDA Mona Tobias Award is presented to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to Australian education of people with learning difficulties, in the areas of leadership, research, practice, teacher and community education.
It is with great pleasure that LDA announces that in 2025 the recipient of the Mona Tobias award is Dr Alison Madelaine.
Dr Alison Madelaine has worked in the field of education as a teacher, special educator, teacher educator, researcher and educational consultant. She has made a highly significant contribution to the field of learning difficulties for over 30 years. Her career reflects a rare blend of scholarship, practice, and advocacy, making her a leading figure in the field of learning difficulties in Australia and beyond. Alison has published widely in academic journals and disseminates her research for the benefit of teachers in professional development sessions and at conferences.
Dr Alison Madelaine was highly commended as a recipient by the judging panel for her outstanding research contributions, sustained leadership, direct practical impact on students, and strong role in teacher and community education.
Alison has also provided extraordinary support to Learning Difficulties Australia (LDA) over more than two decades. As a Council member, she has been heavily involved in the Publications area of LDA, serving as Convenor of the Publications Committee, as well as on the editorial team for the LDA Bulletin and the Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties for many years. Through these activities in LDA publications, Alison supports education professionals to have access to the most up to date research and its practical application with students.
Alison is highly deserving of the Mona Tobias Award. She has consistently, throughout a long career, kept her focus on supporting students who face challenges with their learning. She has quietly stayed the course, not seeking profile. Australia is fortunate indeed to have someone of her calibre, expertise and commitment serving the nation’s vulnerable learners.
Congratulations, Alison Madelaine
For further information about Mona Tobias and list of previous recipients of the Mona Tobias Award click here.
The Tertiary Student Award
Dr Bec Marland
The LDA Tertiary Student Award recognises academic excellence and significant research that advances the understanding of theoretical and practical issues in the field of learning difficulties, carried out by a student in the course of their tertiary level studies.
The recipient of the 2025 Tertiary Student Award is Dr Bec Marland.
Bec’s doctoral research thesis, “Dyslexia in Victorian Government Schools: Shaping Policy and Practice,” explored how Victorian government policy shaped perspectives on best practice and inclusion for students with dyslexia. A key aim of Bec’s research is to influence dyslexia policy and practice at a systemic level to improve student outcomes.
Bec’s study used a qualitative, multi-method case study design, combining an initial single case study of Victorian government policy documents with multiple case studies of three exemplar government schools. The data collection involved document analysis and semi-structured interviews with school leaders and teachers. Bec’s findings highlight that despite a stated commitment to addressing dyslexia, at the time of the study, state-level policy in Victoria was inconsistent and lacked clarity, particularly for secondary schools. A key contribution of her work is the creation of a new four-dimensional dyslexia reform model, advocating for systemic shifts and more cohesive school-based practices that ensure educational rights are upheld
Bec’s research was highly praised by the award judges. The discussion of her findings, including their theoretical and methodological implications, was noted as the strongest part of her submission. Bec’s work offers new insights into how to reframe dyslexia support in schools by bringing a social relational model of disability into the conversation. This research has the potential to give rise to future directions in policy and practice, ensuring students’ educational rights are upheld.
Congratulations, Bec.
For further information about the Tertiary Student Award and list of previous recipients, click here.
The Bruce Wicking Award
Julie Scali
The Bruce Wicking award recognises an individual or organisation for innovative programs or practices relating to the teaching of children with learning difficulties. Bruce Wicking established the Currajong school in 1974 and was committed to the provision of programs which catered for the individual needs of children with learning difficulties. The funds for this award are provided through the generosity of the Wicking family and their friends in commemoration of Bruce’s life and work.
It is my pleasure to present the Bruce Wicking Award to Julie Scali, an exceptional educator and leader whose work has transformed literacy teaching and learning for students with diverse learning needs.
As Founder and Director of Literacy Impact (est. 2022), Julie has created an innovative model for whole-school literacy improvement that combines consultancy, professional learning, coaching, and intensive intervention. Her work now supports over 20 schools nationwide, including 25 in the Northern Territory, demonstrating both impact and scalability.
Through her ‘Targeted Literacy Cycle’s, on-demand coaching, and structured literacy approach, Julie has rapidly improved outcomes for at-risk students while building teacher and leader capacity. She has pioneered the training of education support staff as intervention leaders and embedded sustainable, evidence-informed practice in every setting she works with.
A respected author of High Impact Reading Instruction and Intervention in the Primary Years: From Theory to Practice, Julie has also presented widely through Learning Difficulties Australia and was named Best Education Consultant 2024 (WA).
Julie Scali exemplifies the vision of Bruce Wicking; innovative, inclusive, and deeply committed to meeting the individual needs of every learner.
Congratulations, Julie.
For further information about the Bruce Wicking Award and list of previous recipients click here.
The Rosemary Carter Award
Felicity Brown
The Rosemary Carter Award was established in 2019 to recognise an outstanding Consultant Member who has contributed to the field of learning difficulties through work with students, their advocacy for students and their families, and through education of the wider community.
This year the worthy recipient of the award is Felicity Brown.
Felicity is a highly respected, long serving member of LDA having first joined in 1993 as a standard member. After a long career teaching in secondary schools and as a Literacy Support Coordinator, Felicity resigned from teaching in 2013. She was accepted as a Consultant Member in 2014 and thus began her new career in private practice. She quickly became involved with her local consultant network which soon led to her being their representative to the Consultants Committee of LDA Council.
Felicity became a member of the LDA National Council in 2021 and is currently serving her fourth term. She has also continued as a member of the Consultants Committee where for several years she took on the demanding and time-consuming role of Consultant Registrar, tasked with managing annual consultant renewals.
The nomination received included glowing testimonials from her LDA colleagues and from parents of students who had benefited enormously from Felicity’s individualised tuition and the positive relationships she developed.
Felicity is truly a quiet achiever- always reliable, thoughtful, caring, and well prepared for any role she takes on. Felicity has a strong record of involvement with LDA, a passion for helping students with learning difficulties, and an ongoing commitment to keeping up to date with evidence informed best practice. It’s time for her to receive well deserved recognition for her many years of service to LDA and to her many students.
Congratulations, Felicity.
For further information about the Rosemary Carter Award, click here.