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
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
International student safety from crime. International education currently generates $15.5 billion per annum in exports and involves 520,000 students in Australia. Safety from crime is a fundamental requirement of international students and source governments are insisting Australia needs to improve student safety. These demands must be met if Australia is to sustain its level of involvement in the industry. The project will assist this effort by helping develop solutions to student crime proble ....International student safety from crime. International education currently generates $15.5 billion per annum in exports and involves 520,000 students in Australia. Safety from crime is a fundamental requirement of international students and source governments are insisting Australia needs to improve student safety. These demands must be met if Australia is to sustain its level of involvement in the industry. The project will assist this effort by helping develop solutions to student crime problems that are tailored to Australia's unique circumstances. The project will help enrich Australia's international reputation and improve the safety of international students and Australian communities.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
Patterns of Distributed Leadership in Australian Schools. Using fieldwork methods, this project documents new forms of distributed leadership in Australian schools. It will account for the recent emergence of distributed leadership, distinguish typical distributed models and highlight the institutional and systemic implications of these formations. The research is significant because it provides a pioneering qualitative analysis of the evolving division of labour in management and leadership in ....Patterns of Distributed Leadership in Australian Schools. Using fieldwork methods, this project documents new forms of distributed leadership in Australian schools. It will account for the recent emergence of distributed leadership, distinguish typical distributed models and highlight the institutional and systemic implications of these formations. The research is significant because it provides a pioneering qualitative analysis of the evolving division of labour in management and leadership in self-managing schools. Its focus on collectively co-ordinated activities should also prompt a re-definition of senior level school responsibilities. Moreover, the research outcomes will account for recent career recruitment difficulties experienced by employers, and stimulate improved career profiling, recruitment and development.Read moreRead less
The Enterprise University as Networked University: Investigating the contribution of Australian higher education institutions to social capital. As well as creating benefits for individuals, higher education contributes broader social, economic and cultural benefits or 'public goods'. Though these are of major significance for community and government, they have eluded definition and plausible measurement. However recent research on social capital - the norms and networks (including ICT networks ....The Enterprise University as Networked University: Investigating the contribution of Australian higher education institutions to social capital. As well as creating benefits for individuals, higher education contributes broader social, economic and cultural benefits or 'public goods'. Though these are of major significance for community and government, they have eluded definition and plausible measurement. However recent research on social capital - the norms and networks (including ICT networks) that facilitate cooperation - provides a promising new line of inquiry. Building on three previous ARC studies of Australian universities, the project investigates (1) local and global networks sustained by eight case study institutions, and (2) through survey, the contribution of those institutions to the values and networking of graduates.Read moreRead less
Principal Aspirations and Recruitment amidst Leadership Disengagement. The research addresses the problem of principal shortages in a climate of leadership disengagement and why the principalship is becoming a less attractive career option for teachers. It will establish whether the principalship is part of teachers' professional goals and identities, and identify the factors conducive to, or inhibitory of, teachers' principalship aspirations. Qualitative and quantitative methods will be used ....Principal Aspirations and Recruitment amidst Leadership Disengagement. The research addresses the problem of principal shortages in a climate of leadership disengagement and why the principalship is becoming a less attractive career option for teachers. It will establish whether the principalship is part of teachers' professional goals and identities, and identify the factors conducive to, or inhibitory of, teachers' principalship aspirations. Qualitative and quantitative methods will be used to ascertain teachers' anticipated career profiles and leadership role perceptions in Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland. Research outcomes should lead to a review and possible redesign of the principal role, and influence significantly the states' succession planning policies and leadership development strategies.Read moreRead less
International comparative study of successful school leadership: Successful school leadership in Australia. There is renewed focus by government on education, facilitated by the move to a knowledge society and the realisation of the importance of good education to Australia's prosperity. School principals are key to how schools function. With an ageing principalship and a high principal retirement rate, there is renewed interest in developing current and future principals as evidenced by the est ....International comparative study of successful school leadership: Successful school leadership in Australia. There is renewed focus by government on education, facilitated by the move to a knowledge society and the realisation of the importance of good education to Australia's prosperity. School principals are key to how schools function. With an ageing principalship and a high principal retirement rate, there is renewed interest in developing current and future principals as evidenced by the establishment of the National Institute for Quality Learning and School Leadership. This research is about successful school principals and is part of an international effort to better understand school leadership, particularly that of schools that have undergone dramatic improvement. It holds the promise of transforming leadership preparation and support.Read moreRead less
Tertiary education and social capital in Victoria: the effects of the new economy courses in Business and IT. Over one third of tertiary students are enrolled in the fast-growing new economy disciplines in business studies and IT. In partnership with the Victorian government, this project studies the contribution of business and IT courses to social capital, the collaborative networks that underpin economic innovation and sustainable community. The research will survey and interview Victorian 15 ....Tertiary education and social capital in Victoria: the effects of the new economy courses in Business and IT. Over one third of tertiary students are enrolled in the fast-growing new economy disciplines in business studies and IT. In partnership with the Victorian government, this project studies the contribution of business and IT courses to social capital, the collaborative networks that underpin economic innovation and sustainable community. The research will survey and interview Victorian 1500 graduates from 12 higher education and VET institutions (6 rural); and survey and interview employers and community leaders. The research will inform Victoria's education policy and Growing Victoria Together strategy, and encourage tertiary institutions throughout Australia to strengthen their contribution to social capital.Read moreRead less
Pathways then and now: new student transitions to adulthood in a comparative context. This project will generate new knowledge about young people's development and use of 'creative capital', which is crucial to their participation in the new labour markets in a post-industrial society. The research is designed to contribute directly to new policy frameworks in post-compulsory education and training that acknowledge the need for young people to make creative choices, develop positive pathways and ....Pathways then and now: new student transitions to adulthood in a comparative context. This project will generate new knowledge about young people's development and use of 'creative capital', which is crucial to their participation in the new labour markets in a post-industrial society. The research is designed to contribute directly to new policy frameworks in post-compulsory education and training that acknowledge the need for young people to make creative choices, develop positive pathways and to live within supportive family and community contexts. In this way, the project will support the Government's agenda of strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric in the fact of weaker traditional support structures.Read moreRead less