Judging the Yidan Prize

A meticulous process

The most important task of the Yidan Prize Foundation is to ensure that judging is fair, open, unbiased, and aligned with our vision and mission.

 

Independent, expert judges

Nominations are assessed by our Judging Committee, which comprises two panels. One panel focuses on education research, the other on education development. Final decisions on both awards are made collectively by the full committee.

Members of the Judging Committee are recognized experts appointed by invitation of the Yidan Prize Foundation’s board of directors.

 

Meet our Judging Committee

Judging criteria

Nominations are assessed according to the degree they are:

What are the judges looking for?

Yidan Prize for Education Research

Future-oriented

We’re looking for evidence that it:

  • addresses one or more critical issues in education
  • has results that already have (or look likely to have) a wide global impact
  • could meet new challenges and spread inclusive and fair education for all
  • has the potential to shape the future of education.

 

Innovative

We’re looking for evidence that it:

  • is original, ground-breaking research
  • sets the bar for high quality, scientific method
  • shows new, creative approaches to education
  • could help us develop skills, knowledge, and self-awareness to shape society for the better.

 

Transformative

We’re looking for evidence that it:

  • has influenced leading educators’ thinking
  • can influence the global education community
  • looks likely to build a better world through education.

 

Sustainable

We’re looking for evidence that it:

  • has already sparked change in some settings—and could spread to many more
  • has the potential to create the kind of long-lasting change that makes the world better.

 

What is the potential impact?

  • What does the nominee hope to achieve in three years?
  • What are the key areas of focus?
Yidan Prize for Education Development

Future-oriented

We want to understand:

  • if their work addresses one or more critical issues in education
  • if their work has results that already have (or look likely to have) a wide global impact
  • how far ahead are they looking for challenges and opportunities in education through their work
  • how they are creating an improved education system for a brighter future
  • if they can meet new challenges and spread inclusive and fair education for all
  • if they have the potential to shape the future of education.

 

Innovative

We’re looking for evidence that their work:

  • is ground-breaking
  • disrupts the usual way of doing things
  • shows new, creative approaches to education
  • could help us develop skills, knowledge, and self-awareness that shape society for the better.

 

Transformative

We want to understand:

  • how their work can change systems or ways of working—in part or as a whole
  • if they are influencing the wider education community and inspire collaboration

·       what impact their work has already had or is having on education systems.

 

Sustainable

We want to understand:

  • how their work has grown so far—and its potential to work across borders and regions
  • the governance model of their work—is it transparent and accountable?
  • if there’s a business model for their work, and whether it’s been financially stable so far
  • if there are legal or regulatory threats to their work.

 

How does this person or team’s work resolve needs?

We want to understand:

  • how serious and widespread the problem they’re addressing is—now and in future
  • how many people it impacts
  • their unique roles in ensuring the success of their organization’s work.