Griffith University

PhD  MA, BSc (Hons)

Dean (Research), Arts, Education and Law
Contact details

Research expertise

Richard G. Bagnall is Professor and Dean (Research) in the Arts, Education and Law academic group. His scholarly work is in the social philosophy of adult and lifelong education, focusing on the ethics of education and training theory, advocacy and policy. He has published over 100 books and papers in that field and has supervised to graduation the doctoral studies of over 25 doctoral and 30 research masters and honours degree candidates. He recently returned to Griffith University after three years as Chair Professor of Lifelong Learning at the Hong Kong Institute of Education, where he was responsible for developing new research and degree programs in professional and vocational education. He has otherwise been involved with the adult and vocational education programs at Griffith University since 1994, following 13 years in the same field at the University of New England.

Current research projects

• A  formative review of applied learning policy and its implementation in the Hong Kong trials: Principal Investigator. Supported by a Public Policy Research grant from the Research Grants Council, Hong Kong.
• Improving vocational outcomes for Hong Kong’s social and economic development: A role for vocational teacher education. Supported by a Public Policy Research grant from the Research Grants Council, Hong Kong.
• International Handbook of Lifelong Learning (Second Edition). Co-editor, with D.N. Aspin, J. Chapman and K. Evans. To be published by Springer.
• Achieving sustainability in work through vocational teacher education. Project Leader and Editor of an edited volume to be published by Springer.
• Learning for life: An ethic for lifelong learning. Sole author of book manuscript in preparation.
• Tongariro: The shaping of a national park. Editor of book manuscript drafted by A.G. Bagnall.

Awards

• (2009) Senior Research Fellow, UNESCO-UNEVOC
  
• (2009) UNEVOC Centre Award from the UNESCO-UNEVOC
  
• (2008) Chair Professorship of Lifelong Learning, conferred by the Hong Kong Institute of Education.

Publications

Books

• Bagnall, R.G. (2004). Cautionary tales in the ethics of lifelong learning policy and management: A book of fables. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic. (ix + 204 pp.)
• Bagnall, R.G. (Ed.) (2003). Enhancing income generation through adult education: A comparative study. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press. (vi + 170 pp.)

Book chapters

• Bagnall, R.G. (2010). Values implicit in vocational education and training: The challenge for wider issues of personal and social engagement. In T. Lovat, R. Toomey & Neville Clement (Eds.),  International research handbook on values education and student wellbeing. (pp. 867-882), Dordrecht: Springer.
  
• Morrow, D. & Bagnall, R.G. (2010).  Hybridizing online learning with external interactivity. In F. L. Wang, J. Fong & R.C. Kwan (Eds.), Handbook of research on hybrid learning models: Advanced tools, technologies, and application.  (pp. 24-41). Hershey, PA: IGI Global.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2009). The contribution of non-formal education to social sustainability: Policy implications from case studies in the Asia-Pacific region. In P. Willis, S. Mckenzie & R. Harris (Eds), Rethinking work and learning: Adult and vocational education for social sustainability (pp. 193-210). Dordrecht: Springer.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2009). The ethics of TVET policy and practice: Issues of access and quality. In R. Maclean & D.N. Wilson (Eds), International handbook of education for the changing world of work: Bridging academic and vocational learning. (Vol. 5). (pp. 2163-2175). Dordrecht: Springer.
  
• Bagnall, R.G. (2007). Good practice in lifelong learning. In D.N. Aspin (Ed.), Philosophical perspectives on lifelong learning (pp. 237-257). Dordrecht: Springer.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2007). The ethics of lifelong learning and its implications for values education. In D.N. Aspin & J.D. Chapman (Eds), Values education and lifelong learning (pp. 61-79). Dordrecht: Springer.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2006). Ethical issues in lifelong learning and education. In J. Chapman, P. Cartwright & E.J. McGilp (Eds), Lifelong learning, participation and equity (pp. 25-45. Dordrecht: Springer.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2003). Introduction. In R.G. Bagnall (Ed.), Enhancing income generation through adult education: A comparative study (pp. 1-15). Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2003). Australia. In R.G. Bagnall (Ed.), Enhancing income generation through adult education: A comparative study (pp. 17-43). Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2003). Synthesis. In R.G. Bagnall (Ed.), Enhancing income generation through adult education: A comparative study (pp. 141-150). Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2002). General knowledge in times of ambiguity: Epistemological, ontological, cultural and trans-cultural perspectives. In K. Kunzel (Ed.), Internationationales jahrbuch der erwachsenenbildung: 30 (2002) (pp. 21-36). Koln: Bolau Verlag.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2001). A mission for adult education? In K. Kunzel (Ed.), Internationationales jahrbuch der erwachsenenbildung: 28/29 (2001) (pp. 121-141). Cologne: Bohlau-Verlag.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2001). The contingent university: An ethical critique. In P. Roberts & M. Chambers (Eds), Digital developments in higher education: Theory and practice (pp. 25-40). Cambridge, UK: Taylor Graham.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2001). Locating lifelong learning and education in contemporary currents of thought and culture. In D. Aspin, J. Chapman, M. Hatton & Y. Sawano (Eds), International handbook of lifelong learning (Part 1) (pp. 35-52). Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic.
  

Refereed journal articles

• Bagnall, R.G. (2010). Citizenship and belonging as a moral imperative for lifelong learning. International Journal of Lifelong Learning, 29(4): 449-460.
  
• Bagnall, R.G. (2008). Responses to an invitation to comment on the book: Wain, K. The learning society in a postmodern world. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 40(4): 569-575.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2008). The politics of research partnerships in vocational and technical education. SEAMEO VOCTECH Journal, June: 9-23.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2006). Lifelong learning and the limits of tolerance. International Journal of Lifelong Learning, 25(3): 257-269.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2004/2005). The ethics of lifelong learning. International Journal of Learning, 11: 1453-1460.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2002). The contingent university: An ethical critique. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 34(1): 77-90.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2000). Lifelong learning and the limitations of economic determinism. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 19(1): 20-35.

Refereed conference papers

• Bagnall, R.G. (2004). The nature of ethical learning and practice in lifelong learning. In J. Searle, C. McKavanagh & D. Roebuck (Eds), Doing thinking activity learning: Proceedings of the 12th Annual International Conference on Post-compulsory Education and Training (Vol. 1) (pp.26-33). Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2003). The ethics of learning cultures: A tensional interpretation of alternative social philosophies. In J. Searle, I. Yashin-Shaw & D. Roebuck (Eds), Enriching learning cultures: Proceedings of the 11th Annual International Conference on Post-compulsory Education and Training (Vol. 1) (pp. 24-30). Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2002). The importance of difference in lifelong learning. In J. Searle & D. Roebuck (Eds), Envisioning practice: Implementing change (Vol. 1) (pp. 76-83). Brisbane: Centre for Learning & Work Research, Griffith University.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2001). Ethical knowledge and learning in the new economy. In F. Beven, C. Kanes & D. Roebuck (Eds), Knowledge demands for the new economy (Vol. 1) (pp. 14-27). Brisbane: Centre for Learning & Work Research, Griffith University.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2000). A framework for evaluating the ethics of post-compulsory educational systems and reforms. In F. Beven, C. Kanes & D. Roebuck (Eds), Learning together, working together: Building communities for the 21st century (pp. 167-173). Brisbane: Centre for Learning & Work Research, Griffith University.

Published reviews

• Bagnall, R.G. (2009). Lifelong learning as an idea for our times: An extended review. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 28(2): 279-287.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2008). Review of ‘Missing men in education’, by M. Thornton & P. Bricheno. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 27(6): 727-728.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2007). Review of ‘Education reform and the quest for excellence: The Hong Kong story’, by L.S. So, P. Morris & Y.-p. Chung (Eds). International Journal of Lifelong Education, 26(6): XXX-XXX.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2007). Review of ‘Learning transitions’, by R. Tobias, L Tully, P. Beckman & L. Petelo (Eds). International Journal of Lifelong Education, 26(2): 228-229.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2006). Review of ‘Designing the just learning society: A critical inquiry’, by M. Welton. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 25(5): 535-536.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2006). Review of ‘Philosophical foundations of adult education’ (3rd ed.), by J.L. Elias and S.B. Merriam. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 25(1): 87-101.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2004). Review of ‘Crisis of opportunity: Perspectives on adult education and humanism’, by K.T. Elsdon. Journal of Adult and Continuing Education, 10(1): 87-89.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2000). Review of ‘Maeler’s regard: Images of adult learning’, by Michael Newman. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Vocational Education Research, 8(1): 135-137.

Conference presentations

• Bagnall, R.G. (2008). ‘The politics of research partnerships in vocational and technical education’. Keynote address at the SEAMEO VOCTECH International Conference, Bali, July.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2007). ‘Some conditions for creative partnerships in education’. Presented at the 2007 Philosophy of Education Society of Australasia (PESA) Conference, Museum of New Zealand, Wellington, December.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2005). ‘Skills Development for Income Generation through Non-formal Education: Patterns and Issues from a Five-Country Regional Study’. Presented at the International Conference, ‘Integrating Sustainable Development Issues into TVET: Poverty Alleviation and Skills for Employability, Citizenship and Conservation’, Bangkok, Thailand, August.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2005). ‘Dealing with difference by creating dependency? A critique of the dependency thesis in lifelong learning and adult education’. Presented at the 35th Annual Conference of the Standing Committee on University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults (SCUTREA), University of Sussex, UK, July.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2004). ‘The ethics of lifelong learning’. Presented at the Eleventh International Literacy and Education Research Network Conference, Havana, Cuba, June.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2002). ‘The importance of difference in lifelong learning’. Presented at the Tenth Annual International Conference on Post-compulsory Education and Training, Surfers Paradise, December.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2001). ‘Ethical knowledge and learning in the new economy'. Keynote address to the Ninth Annual International Conference on Post-compulsory Education and Training, Surfers Paradise, December.
• Bagnall, R.G. (2000). 'A framework for evaluating the ethics of post-compulsory educational systems and reforms'. Presented at the Eighth Annual International Conference on Post-compulsory Education and Training, Surfers Paradise, December.