Professor | Acting Dean of Education
"BA, Dip Ed, MEd, MA(Ed), PhD, Grad Dip Public Sector (Distinction)"
| Contact Campus | Newnham Campus |
| Building | Building A |
| Room Reference | A147 |
| Telephone | +61 3 6324 3339 |
| Fax | +61 3 6324 3048 |
| Education.Dean@utas.edu.au |
Current and Supervised Projects
I am currently working a colleague (Dr Chris Gardner) on an international project which investigates how principals and teachers see the leadership role and decision making in schools and, importantly, how teachers may be more involved in decision making. With colleagues in England I am investigating how teachers' pedagogical practices may be supported to allow more student-student interaction and student-centred learning.
My Research Higher Degree students are examining a broad range of topics, including: how beginning teachers develop a professional identity in the context of fragmented employment opportunities; the nature of the aspirations and beliefs of student teachers preparing for secondary school teaching; that way that principals in rural and isolated schools implement educational policy; how do schools implement new curricula in Indonesia; how does the concept of communities of practice operate in an academic and a business context in Australia and China; how do private universities in Vietnam develop and implement a system of incentives to improve teaching and learning quality; can teachers be coached to improve their reflection and teaching practice in primary mathematics; how do teachers implement major curriculum change in the context of punitive or supportive school cultures; how do teachers use their time in school and school related tasks out of school.
Awards and Honours
I was honoured to receive the Australian College of Educators Tasmanian Award for significant contributions to education in 2003.
In 2006 I was awarded an inaugural University of Tasmania Graduate Research Award for significant contributions to graduate research and education.
I am a Fellow of the Australian Teacher Education Association and of the Royal Society of Arts.
Community Engagement
I have served two terms as a member of the Teacher Registration Board Tasmania; first, as an inaugural member and, second, from 2007 - 2010. I Chair the Higher Education Expert Advisory Group, which advises the Tasmanian Qualifications Authority on matters relating to non-self accrediting institutions of higher education in Tasmania.