Research

The Institute strives to be a world leader in the conduct of discovery and applied research providing evidenced-based recommendations to inform practice and policy related the variety of learning contexts across the lifespan. The Institute aims to produce research that is nationally and internationally recognised in both quality and focus.

Our research explores ways learning occurs across a range of contexts and settings throughout the lifespan, based on the relationship and directionality between learning and social change.

What is the impact of social change on learning?

Social contexts and practices shape the ontological worlds in which we live, engage and learn. Learning is a socially shaped activity in which communities play critical roles through providing contexts, administrative practices and governance. This perspective illustrates the ways in which social contexts mediate learning and the resultant impact on learning.  It examines the challenges of change, the unique features of different kinds of communities and the ways these shape new forms and understandings of learning.

What is the impact of learning on social change?

Learning has the potential to effect social change. This perspective starts with learning and extends this to social change. It focuses on understanding the processes of learning and the factors that militate towards or against participating and/or engaging in learning.  Central to these considerations is our concern with ensuring optimal learning opportunities regardless of background, context or ability.

Learning can occur across many contexts and, as such, our research draws on many theoretical and methodological tools to understand and extend the phenomenon. Our overarching concern is with building intellectual and social capacities across society to engage effectively with social change.

More information

For information on staff research expertise please search http://app.griffith.edu.au/01/griffithprofiles/info.php