Meet The Education Researcher

What can ethnography bring to the study of school reform? Christo Sims (UC San Diego) is an anthropologist whose award-winning ethnography lays bare the ‘technological idealism’ driving the past 20 years of school reform. We discuss the complexities of ethnographic research and writing, as well as how having Jean Lave as a substitute teacher proved a life-changing experience.

Jane Kenway (Monash & Melbourne Universities) is one of Australia’s leading sociologists of education. In this wide-ranging discussion, Jane reflects on her key concerns with questions of class, gender and capitalism in education. We talk about ‘Asia as method’, rethinking the nature of ethnography, fostering vibrant Faculty research cultures, and the need for a defiant research imagination.

What are the links between young children’s imagination and their learning in science, engineering and technology? Marilyn Fleer (Monash University) talks about her new 5-year award under the prestigious Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme to explore the role of imagination in early years STEM learning. We also dig deep into Marilyn’s established track record of winning research funding … including her top tips for putting together successful proposals.

As we prepare to take a break for the 2018/2019 summer vacation here are a few highlights of what Monash academics have been reading over the past 12 months. Guests include ... * John Loughran talking about teacher knowledge; * Marilyn Fleer talking about children's digital ecologies; * John Pardy talking about thinking and hand-craft; * Hannah Fulton talking about the role of competition in student assessment.

How can academics make sure that their research is useful, and actually ends us being used across the education community? Mark Rickinson (Monash University) talks about his work in the area of ‘quality evidence use’ in education. We talk about practical steps that researchers can take to ensure that they producing genuinely useful research – starting with being more adventurous in the types of events that we attend. Mark also outlines his ‘Q Project’ – a new $6.36 million initiative to develop high quality evidence use and ‘research literacy’ across the education professions.

What happens when robots are introduced into classrooms? In this interview, Dr. Sofia Serholt (Chalmers University) talks about her work on robots in the classroom. We talk about varying levels of acceptance across education, the ethics of using robots with young children, as well as the dangers of over-hyping the future prospect of ‘socially-intelligent’ AI.

Dr. Adam Wood (UK Leverhulme Scholar) is a social scientist specialising in architecture & education. We discuss the links between architecture and learning, how school designs have altered over the years, and what architectural theory can tell us about materiality and space. If you want to understand schools properly, then you have to think about school buildings and space!

What can universities do for ‘early career researchers’? Dr. Naomi Barnes (QUT) is one of a new generation of education researchers beginning their careers in what is a fast-changing industry. In this interview, Naomi talks about the challenges of working in universities that are increasingly reliant on the efforts of early career researchers. We also dissect Naomi’s use of social media, and pick up some tips on how to engage with ‘academic Twitter’.

What can people learn on YouTube and Facebook? In this interview, Thomas Hillman (University of Gothenburg) talks about his research on how people learn through large online platforms. This includes studies of Facebook teacher groups, citizen science platforms and people using YouTube to fix washing-machines. We discuss how all these activities offer valuable insights into how learning takes place.

How can we develop better research questions? Why should all education researchers make ‘sensible’ use of statistics? In this interview, Patrick White (Leicester University) talks us through his research methods books and unexpected rise to becoming a ‘YouTube academic’. This episode was recorded live at the 2018 AERA conference in New York.

Writing an academic book is not an easy task! In this podcast, we talk to 3 education researchers who have just gone through the process of writing their PhD research into books. We discuss the importance of the initial proposal writing process, how to work with publishers, and strategies for getting the writing done. Whether you are a first-time author or seasoned hack, these are issues that we all need to talk about!

Why should academics engage with the public? Dr. Stewart Riddle (USQ) is committed to being part of the public debate about education in Australia. In this interview, Stewart talks about his experiences of quickly developing a public profile, and what can be done to support academics who find themselves dragged into media controversy. We also discuss how Stewart’s time in a touring rock band gives him a healthy perspective on the pressure to be a ‘successful’ academic.

How can we make schools work better? In this interview, Dr. Ilana Finefter-Rosenbluh (Monash University) talks about her research interests around effectiveness in education. We discuss her PhD research on the unique learning environment of American-Jewish High Schools, as well as her subsequent work on teacher effectiveness, ethics and learner voice.

What role do emotions play in determining education experiences? In this interview Prof. Anne Frenzel (University of Munich) talks about her work on teachers' and students' emotional experiences. We discuss her work on test anxiety, ‘emotional contagion’ in the classroom, as well as rising levels of teacher anger.

How can researchers use secondary data to examine social justice issues in education? In this interview Prof. Emma Smith (University of Warwick) talks about her work on boys’ underachievement at school, STEM participation and how policy can support ‘fairer’ forms of education. This episode was recorded live at the 2018 AERA conference in New York.

How can we encourage all students to love maths? Dr. Jennifer Hall (Monash University)talks about her research in the area of mathematics education - in particular her interests around gender and maths. We talk about teacher role-modelling, media influences and how Jennifer’s PhD research was sparked by some particularly offensive pyjamas.

How do we reimagine higher education for a networked age? Prof. George Siemens (University of Texas at Arlington) is well-known for his work in the areas of e-learning and open education. We discuss George’s pioneering work with MOOCs, his current interest in ‘being’ skills, and ongoing ambitions to reimagine education systems to fit individual learners in an era when the technological systems around us are more intelligent than we are.

A/Prof. Iris Duhn (Monash University) talks about her work in the sociology of childhood. Iris talks about her research in early childhood education settings – in particular her interests in theorising the importance of ‘place’ and issues of materialism, sustainability and gender. We also talk about the practical benefits of post-qualitative approaches to engaging with empirical fieldwork and data analysis

Prof. Richard Pringle (Monash University) talks about his work in the sociology of sport and education. We discuss Richard's work on masculinities and rugby in New Zealand, his theoretical shift from Foucault to Deleuze, and his emerging interest in brain injuries in school sport.

Hear from a variety of Monash faculty and friends attending the 2018 American Education Research Association conference in New York. We discuss current hot topics and ideas emerging from this year's conference, as well as tips on how to survive one of the largest academic gatherings in the world.