2025 World Council for Gifted and Talented Children (WCGTC) Emerging Scholar in Gifted Education Award
Dr Michelle Ronksley-Pavia has been awarded the 2025 World Council for Gifted and Talented Children (WCGTC) Emerging Scholar in Gifted Education Award; one of the highest international honours in the field, and akin to an Olympic Gold Medal!
This prestigious recognition celebrates exceptional researchers within their first
decade (post-PhD), who have made transformative contributions to gifted education
globally.
The award committee recognised Dr Ronksley-Pavia as a preeminent researcher in
twice-exceptional and gifted education and one of the world's leading authorities in
the field. Her groundbreaking work has fundamentally reshaped understanding of
giftedness and twice-exceptionality both nationally and internationally through
pioneering theoretical models, innovative research methodologies, and the first-ever
Australian prevalence studies—work that receives citation rates significantly
outperforming field averages.
Distinguished as the first Australian researcher ever to secure the prestigious
American Psychological Foundation Esther Katz Rosen Fund Grant, Dr Ronksley-
Pavia is spearheading cutting-edge research at the intersection of generative AI and
gifted education. Her exceptional leadership extends beyond research to
establishing transformative professional learning platforms, including the annual
Griffith University International Gifted Education Symposium, which has become
Australia's premier professional development event in gifted education.
This award recognises her exceptional scholarly contributions and also her profound
impact on educational policy and practice nationally and internationally.
Dr Ronksley-Pavia will be delivering a keynote panel address, along with Dr
Alabbasi, at the World Conference in Braga, Portugal entitled ‘Celebrating
Excellence in Gifted Education Scholarship: A Discussion with the 2025 Emerging
Scholar Awardees’
.
WCGTC® President, Dr. Denise Fleith said, “Keynote speakers provide excellent
opportunities to expand our frontiers by learning and reflecting on what has been
researched and experienced in gifted education and talent development worldwide.
They stimulate us to think of future studies and ways to implement evidence-based
practices.”
https://world-gifted.org/blog/2025/06/27/dr-alabbasi-and-dr-ronksley-pavia-awarded-
emerging-scholar-award-by-wcgtc/
About the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children
The World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Inc. (WCGTC®) is a worldwide
non-profit organization that provides advocacy and support for gifted children. The
WCGTC is a diverse organization networking the globe with an active membership of
educators, scholars, researchers, parents, and others interested in the development
and education of gifted and talented children of all ages. To learn more about the
WCGTC or to become a member, visit www.world-gifted.org
