Education and training and regional networks: the implications for outcomes and governance. The project will investigate local learning and employment networks (LLENs) that have been established in Victoria. It will analyse the effectiveness of networks in delivering education and training services and improving outcomes for young people. The inter- and intra-action of networks, and their relationships with government in policy formation will also be analysed. The project is located in a majo ....Education and training and regional networks: the implications for outcomes and governance. The project will investigate local learning and employment networks (LLENs) that have been established in Victoria. It will analyse the effectiveness of networks in delivering education and training services and improving outcomes for young people. The inter- and intra-action of networks, and their relationships with government in policy formation will also be analysed. The project is located in a major and unique innovation in education and training, and for the first time will apply meso level theory and methodology in this area of public policy. It will provide new findings on effectiveness of networks in education outcomes.Read moreRead less
Federalism in Australian schooling: Its impact upon quality and equity. The project is designed to support the objectives for schooling in Australia that have been identified by the Council of Australian Governments. These objectives are in the face of growing inequities in the distribution of educational resources, growing concentrations of students with high levels of educational needs, and imbalances in the distribution of resources across key stages, especially in early childhood education. ....Federalism in Australian schooling: Its impact upon quality and equity. The project is designed to support the objectives for schooling in Australia that have been identified by the Council of Australian Governments. These objectives are in the face of growing inequities in the distribution of educational resources, growing concentrations of students with high levels of educational needs, and imbalances in the distribution of resources across key stages, especially in early childhood education. By examining the ways in which federalism contributes to the structural barriers to these objectives and by developing and validating a set of structural reforms the project will contribute to these national objectives. Read moreRead less
Enhancing the Technology Transfer Capability of Australian Univerities. This project aims to assist in achieving enhanced University capability in technology transfer which is regarded by government as cruicial to improving national innovation performance. I seeks to identify the determinants of effective technology transfer and provide in-depth understanding of the social process involved in transferring both inventions and associated scientific knowledge from universities to corporationss. Emp ....Enhancing the Technology Transfer Capability of Australian Univerities. This project aims to assist in achieving enhanced University capability in technology transfer which is regarded by government as cruicial to improving national innovation performance. I seeks to identify the determinants of effective technology transfer and provide in-depth understanding of the social process involved in transferring both inventions and associated scientific knowledge from universities to corporationss. Employing a contingent effectiveness model, the research will focus on the characteristics of the transfer agent, the transfer recipient, the transfer medium, the transfer object and the demand environment. Results and recommended strategies will be communicated to university and industry managers and government officials.Read moreRead less
An investigation of the declining supply of school principals in Australia. Leadership is critical when reforming schools for new knowledge economies. Yet international and Australian anecdotal evidence suggests a declining supply of applicants for school leadership. This study investigates the existence, extent and nature of, and explanations for, this paradox across three states and all education systems against international trends. Its unique contribution lies in its focus on (i) interaction ....An investigation of the declining supply of school principals in Australia. Leadership is critical when reforming schools for new knowledge economies. Yet international and Australian anecdotal evidence suggests a declining supply of applicants for school leadership. This study investigates the existence, extent and nature of, and explanations for, this paradox across three states and all education systems against international trends. Its unique contribution lies in its focus on (i) interactions between institutional structures, cultures and professional identity,(ii) context and location, (iii) the interplay of gender, race and ethnic difference. Innovative research methods, both qualitative and quantitative, will produce evidence to inform policy development on principal recruitment, selection, induction and professional development.Read moreRead less
Pathways or cul-de-sacs: the causes, impact and implications of part-time senior secondary study. The research will investigate the factors contributing to the relatively high proportion of SA students who undertake their senior secondary studies part-time, and explore the implications for the students and their communities in terms of educational and employment outcomes. It will also map the geographic, gender and socio-economic dimensions of this phenomenon and identify whether there is a rela ....Pathways or cul-de-sacs: the causes, impact and implications of part-time senior secondary study. The research will investigate the factors contributing to the relatively high proportion of SA students who undertake their senior secondary studies part-time, and explore the implications for the students and their communities in terms of educational and employment outcomes. It will also map the geographic, gender and socio-economic dimensions of this phenomenon and identify whether there is a relationship between part-time senior secondary study, early school leaving and re-entry pathways. The project will draw on recent state and national research, and educational policy analyses, together with qualitative and quantitative data analysis at the state and regional level, to enhance understandings of these issues and inform the development of educational and youth policy at the state and national levels.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100460
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,000.00
Summary
Accountability and global education policy networks in the Indo-Pacific. This project aims to investigate how contemporary education reforms unfold in low-income contexts through contrasting assessment approaches in Bangladesh and Cambodia, Australia’s Indo-Pacific aid partner nations. Globally, 250 million children cannot read or count, and inequities are increasing. In response, global policy networks are investing in assessment and accountability measures to improve outcomes. This study aims ....Accountability and global education policy networks in the Indo-Pacific. This project aims to investigate how contemporary education reforms unfold in low-income contexts through contrasting assessment approaches in Bangladesh and Cambodia, Australia’s Indo-Pacific aid partner nations. Globally, 250 million children cannot read or count, and inequities are increasing. In response, global policy networks are investing in assessment and accountability measures to improve outcomes. This study aims to understand policy relevant to these reform efforts, contributing to Australia’s strategic goal of improving education in the Indo-Pacific. The expected outcome is the development of principles for sustainable, participatory accountability practices with wide relevance in social policy.Read moreRead less
Improving wellbeing through student participation at school. Current evidence suggests child and youth participation in matters affecting their lives has many benefits, but little is known about how this is perceived and practiced in education. This research aims to improve knowledge about processes and outcomes of student participation at school, particularly in relation to improving wellbeing. The project is timely and significant because recent reforms in education now require a greater empha ....Improving wellbeing through student participation at school. Current evidence suggests child and youth participation in matters affecting their lives has many benefits, but little is known about how this is perceived and practiced in education. This research aims to improve knowledge about processes and outcomes of student participation at school, particularly in relation to improving wellbeing. The project is timely and significant because recent reforms in education now require a greater emphasis on engaging students more directly in decisions about their education, including those with special needs. Schools urgently require knowledge about the key elements of participation that impact on wellbeing and a tool for measuring and monitoring their performance in facilitating these elements.Read moreRead less
How do teachers learn to enact the Australian Curriculum? A question of policy in practice. This project aims to show how teachers learn to engage with the new curriculum in the context of increasingly standardised national and international educational reforms. This is significant for determining whether the 'Australian Curriculum' will result in its projected benefits. This project aims to reveal how policy support for the new curriculum influences teacher learning in diverse schooling setting ....How do teachers learn to enact the Australian Curriculum? A question of policy in practice. This project aims to show how teachers learn to engage with the new curriculum in the context of increasingly standardised national and international educational reforms. This is significant for determining whether the 'Australian Curriculum' will result in its projected benefits. This project aims to reveal how policy support for the new curriculum influences teacher learning in diverse schooling settings in a broadly neoliberal, global context.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100421
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$378,442.00
Summary
The Creative Turn: An Australia wide Study of Creativity and
Innovation in Secondary Schools. The Melbourne Declaration's Educational Goals for Young Australians advocate that all young Australians should become 'confident and creative individuals' for whom 'critical and creative thinking are fundamental to becoming successful'. This project addresses how creativity and innovative thinking can be nurtured in Australian secondary schools, to help learners better meet the needs of emerging twent ....The Creative Turn: An Australia wide Study of Creativity and
Innovation in Secondary Schools. The Melbourne Declaration's Educational Goals for Young Australians advocate that all young Australians should become 'confident and creative individuals' for whom 'critical and creative thinking are fundamental to becoming successful'. This project addresses how creativity and innovative thinking can be nurtured in Australian secondary schools, to help learners better meet the needs of emerging twenty-first century creative economies, particularly as they are developing in the Asia-Pacific region. This project addresses this imperative by seeking to define, measure and cultivate creativity in Australian schools and, ultimately, to develop a new theoretical framework with which to compare these findings internationally. Read moreRead less
Boundary making and strategy making in knowledge-forming organisations. Government policy is devoted to bettering linkages between university research and commercial product development in the knowledge economy. Yet little is known of relationships between university and non-university knowledge forming organisations (KFOs) and what policies and resources sustain and adjust the border between them. Different countries approach these issues in distinctive ways, in part because of public policy, i ....Boundary making and strategy making in knowledge-forming organisations. Government policy is devoted to bettering linkages between university research and commercial product development in the knowledge economy. Yet little is known of relationships between university and non-university knowledge forming organisations (KFOs) and what policies and resources sustain and adjust the border between them. Different countries approach these issues in distinctive ways, in part because of public policy, in part through different endogenous dynamics. Using case study research in five countries, the project will identify ways the division of labour between different KFOs can be optimised, while sustaining their respective strengths, and maximising the opportunities for strategy and innovation.Read moreRead less