Dr Margarita Pavlova

Dr Margarita Pavlova PhD (Australia), PhD (Russia), MEd, BEd (Hons)

Senior Lecturer, School of Education and Professional Studies (Brisbane/Logan)
Leader, Sustainability Research Program, Griffith Institute of Educational Research (GIER)
Convenor, Faculty of Education Embedded Honours Program
Consultant, UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre, Bonn, Germany

Research expertise

Margarita's main research interests include conceptualisations of technology education, philosophy of technology, the nature of knowledge in technology education, cross-cultural issues and values in technology education. Her research focus is concerned with policy and planning in technology and vocational education at both national and international levels, and includes comparative studies of curriculum aspects of schooling. Her current research projects are in the area of education for sustainability and she is Research Leader of the Sustainability Program in the Griffith Institute for Educational Research.

Margarita has 20 years of experience in research in education. She works as a consultant within the technology and vocational education fields with international, state and national agencies, including the World Bank; UNESCO-UNEVOC; Queensland Studies Authorities, and the Ministry of Education of Russia. This work has involved developing policies, approaches and resources for technology and vocational education, and exploring related issues. She has had international experience working in a variety of countries in Europe (including Germany, Russia, Finland and the UK) as well as in the USA and Australia

Recent funded research projects

  • Pavlova, M., Lineng Chen, Chun Lin Huang (2008-2009). Developing innovative approaches in Education for Sustainable Development: Curriculum reform in TVET China. UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre and ZJTIE ($US 92,170).
  • Pavlova, M., Varis, T. (2006-2007). Development of ICT tools for education for sustainable development in the context of technology education and vocational education at the secondary school level. (The Baltic states region)UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre ($US 50, 000).
  • Pavlova, M., Lebeaume, J. (2003-2004). Learning in Technology Education: concepts and practices in Primary and Junior High School (9-13 age). The Forum for European Australian Science and Technology (FEAST) Co-operation, France. ($A11,000).
  • Pavlova, M., & Pitt, J. (1996-2005). Technology and Enterprise education in Russia. The British Council, funding agencies UK, universities and Educational Authorities of the involved regions. ($181,000).

Current teaching areas

  • Theories of learning and development
  • Pedagogy of technology education for secondary and primary schooling
  • Contemporary issues in technology education
  • Curriculum development in technology education
  • Research issues in technology education

Publications

Books

  • Pavlova, M. (in press). Technology education and TVET for sustainable development: Empowering individuals for the future. Springer.
  • Sasova, I., Gurevich, M., Pavlova, M., Pitt, J. (2006). Medot proektov - v tehnologicheskom obrasovanii shkolnikov [Project method in technology education of students, Part 3]. Moscow: Ventana-Graff.
  • Pavlova, M., Pitt, J., Sasova, I. Gurevich, M., (2004). Proektnuj medot v tehnologicheskom obrasovanii shkolnikov [Project method in technology education of students, Part 2)]. Moscow: Ventana-Graff.
  • Pavlova, M., Pitt, J., Gurevich, M., Sasova, I. (2003). Proektnuj medot v tehnologicheskom obrasovanii shkolnikov [Project method in technology education of students, Part 1]. Moscow: Ventana-Graff.
  • Pavlova, M., & Pitt, J. (2000). Razvitie shkolnogo tvorchestva cherez tehnologicheskie proektu: proektnuj metod [Development of students creativity through technological projects: a design-based approach]. Nizhnij Novgorod: Novgorodski Gumanitaruj tsentr.
  • Pavlova, M., & Pitt, J. (1997). Obrazovatelnaja oblast tehnologija: teoreticheskie podhodu I metodicheskie rekomendatsii [Technology as an area of study: Theoretical approaches and methodological recommendations]. York: Technology and Enterprise Education in Russia.
  • Pavlova, M. (1996). Tehnologija kontseptsija predmeta [Technology - a concept of the subject]. St. Petersburg: Libra.

Book chapters

  • Pavlova, M. and Maclean, R. (in press). VET Systems: Planning and Policy Development for VET Systems. In E.Baker, B.McGaw and P.Peterson (Eds), International Encyclopaedia of Education 3rd Edition, Elsevier: Oxford.
  • Pavlova, M. and Maclean, R. (in press). TVET and the Ageing society: policy formulation for the developing world. R. Maclean, D. Wilson and C.Chinien (Eds.) International Handbook on TVET, Springer.
  • Pavlova, M. (in press). Vocationalisation of Secondary Education: The Relationships between Vocational and Technology Education. In R. Maclean, D. Wilson and C.Chinien (Eds.) International Handbook on TVET, Springer.
  • Pavlova M. and Maclean R. (in press). Vocational and Higher education: some reasons to be together. In D.Johnson, R. Maclean and (Eds.) Vocational and Higher Education, Springer.
  • Pavlova, M. (in press). University TAFE collaboration: responses to the Labour Market. In D.Johnson and R. Maclean (Eds.) Vocational and Higher Education, Springer.
  • Pavlova, M. (2008). Technology and vocational education: a framework for the development of teaching approaches and resources for Education for Sustainable Development. In J. Fien, R. Maclean and M.G. Park (Eds.) Work, Learning and Sustainable Development: Opportunities and Challenges, Springer Dordrecht.
  • Pavlova, M. (2008). Comparative analysis as a research method in technology education. In H. Middleton (Ed.). Researching technology education: Methods and techniques (116-134). Sense Publishers: Rotterdam/Taipei.
  • Pavlova, M. (2007). Some practical solutions for achieving the ideals of sustainability: A case study of a technology teacher education program. In W.L. Filho, E. I. Manolas, M. N. Sotirakou and G.A. Boutakis (Eds.) Higher Education and the Challenge of Sustainability: Problems, Promises and Good Practice (pp.225-236). Environmental Education Centre of Soufli: Soufli, Greece.
  • Pavlova, M. and Pitt, J. (2007). The place of sustainability in design and technology education. In D. Barlex (Ed.) Design & Technology For the Next Generation (A collection of provocative pieces, written by experts in their field, to stimulate reflection and curriculum innovation) (pp.74- 89). Cliffe & Company: Shropshire, UK.
  • Pavlova, M. (2006) Education for sustainable development: the nature of the issue in the multicultural world. In P. Ruohotie and R. Maclean (Eds.) Communication and learning in the multicultural world (pp. 377-397). Hameenlinna: University of Tampere Press.
  • Pavlova, M. (2006). Technology teacher education in Russia. In J. Williams (Ed). International Technology Teacher Education 55th Yearbook of the Council on Technology Teacher Education (USA) (pp. 167- 188). NY, New York: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill.
  • Pavlova, M. (2006). Comparing perspectives: comparative research in technology education. In M. de Vries & I. Mottier (Eds.) International Handbook of Technology Education: Reviewing the Past Twenty Years. (pp. 19-32). Rotterdam/Taipei: Sense Publishers.
  • Pavlova, M. (2003). Technology education in Russia and the process of modernization. In G. Graube, M.J. Dyrenfurth and W.E.Theuerkauf (Eds.) Technology Education: International Concepts and Perspectives (pp.241-252). Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang.
  • Pavlova, M. & Pitt, J. (2003) Technology education in Russia - is a perspective clear? In E. Jenkins (Ed.) Innovations in Science and Technology Education, Vol.VIII UNESCO series (249-276). Madrid, Spain: UNESCO Publishing.
  • Pitt, J. & Pavlova, M. (2001) Pedagogy in Transition: from Labour Training to Humanistic Technology Education in Russia. In Webber, S. & Liikanen, I. (Eds.) Education and civic culture in post-communist countries, (pp. 231-247). Hampshire, UK: PALGRAVE Macmillan.

Refereed journals

  • Pavlova, M. (in press). Weak anthropocentrism as a framework for conceptualising sustainable development for technology education. International Journal of Technology and Design Education.
  • Pavlova, M. and Gurevich, M. (2007). Regional Universities and the Learning Society: roles and influences on educational policy and practice. Revista de Universidad y Sociedad del Conocimiento, 4(2) 25-34.
  • Pavlova, M. and Turner, S. (2007). Its never too early: education for sustainable development, The International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, 2(7), 69-76.
  • Pavlova, M. (2006) Technology education for sustainable futures. Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 11 (2), 4153.
  • Pavlova, M. (2005). Life skills for employability, citizenship and sustainable development: A case study of the vocationalisation of secondary schooling in Russia, Prospects, XXXV (3), pp. 343-354.
  • Pavlova, M. (2005) Social Change: How Should Technology Education Respond? International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 15 (3), pp.199-215.
  • Pavlova, M. (2005). Knowledge and Values in Technology Education. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 15(2), 127-147.
  • Billet, S. and Pavlova, M. (2005). Learning through working life: self and individuals agentic action, International Journal of Lifelong Learning, 24(3), pp. 195-211.
  • Pavlova, M. (2003) Technological culture: its representations and potential for theorising technology education, The Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, 3 (1), 37-49.
  • Pavlova, M. (2002/2003) A Comparison of Standards for Technology Education in Russia and America. The Technology Teacher e, International Technology Education Association.
  • Pavlova, M. (2002). Teaching design: aesthetic, cognitive or moral emphasis? Design and Education, 9 (1), 5-18.
  • Pavlova, M. (2002). Technology education in Russia: socio-cultural limitations to design- approach. Science in Vocational and Technical Education, 15, 15 -39 [translation to Japanese pp.43 -63].

Invited keynote addresses

  • Pavlova, M. (2007). Education for Sustainability: addressing issues through TVET. National conference on Current issues in TVET, Hangzhou Zhejiang Province China, April 2007 held in Zhejiang Technology Institute of Economy.
  • Pavlova, M. (2007). The framework for conceptualising technology education within the paradigm of sustainable development, International Technology Education Conference, Ulaanbaatar, 4-8 June 2007 held in Bayangol hotel.
  • Pavlova, M. (2006). Do we value values in technology education? The 4th International Conference on Technology Education Research, December 7-9, Gold Coast, Centre for Learning Research, Griffith University.
  • Pavlova, M. (2006). Challenges and Solutions for TVET development for European countries in transition. 15th IVETA Conference, Vocational Education and Training in the context of Life Long Learning, Moscow 21-25 August, 2006.
  • Pavlova, M. (2005). Threats or opportunities: technical and further education (TAFE) university collaboration in Australia. International seminar organised by UNESCO-CEPES, UNESCO-UNEVOC and SKOPE, Oxford University. Vocational content in mass education? Responses to the Challenges of the Labour market and the Work-Place, 8-11 September, Bonn, Germany.
  • Pavlova, M. (2005). Westerners or Slavophiles: Who is winning the battle over Technology Education in Russia? ITEA 67th Annual Conference, April 3-5, Kansas City, MO, USA.
  • Pavlova, M. (2004). Technology education: instrumental or developmental a comparative perspective, Presented at the National Technology Education Conference, October 29 - November11, Turku, Finland.
  • Pavlova, M. (2002). Knowledge and values in technology education. Presented at the 1st Biennial International Conference on Technology Education, Challenges for Technology Education in the context of globalisation, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, July.
  • Pavlova, M. (1999). Technology education - modern or late-modern project. Presentation at the International Conference on the History, Problems and Prospects of Technical Education, Erfurt, Germany, September.

Commissioned papers

  • Pavlova, M. (2007). Two pathways, one destination: TVET for a sustainable future. Background paper for the UNESCO-UNEVOC virtual conference, 22 October-10 November. Available at the International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
  • Pavlova, M. and Maclean, R (2007). 'Vocational and Higher education: some reasons to be together, International conference on TVET conference, Casablanca, April 2007.
  • Pavlova, M. and Maclean, R. (2007). Re-skilling for All? The Changing role of TVET in Ageing Societies of Developing countries. In T.Karmel and R.Maclean (Eds) Technical and Vocational Education and Training in an Ageing Society. Experts meetings proceedings, 3-4 October 2006, Adelaide, Adelaide: National Centre for Vocational Education Research, 28-41.

Invited conference presentations

  • Pavlova, M. (2007). Reinventing Higher Education: its contribution to TVETReinventing Higher Education: Toward Participatory and Sustainable development, 11th UNESCO-APEID International Conference, Bangkok, 12-14 December.
  • Pavlova, M. (2007). Rethinking Technological Literacy for the global Network Era. The PATT 18 Annual International Conference on Design and Technology Education Research, Glasgow, UK, 21-25 June.
  • Pavlova, M. (2007). Some practical solutions for achieving the ideals of sustainability: A case study of a technology teacher education program. The 1st European Conference on Education for Sustainable Development, Orestiada-Soufli, Greece, 5-7 October.
  • Pavlova, M. (2005). Re-orienting TVET for sustainable development: Towards systematic approach for its conceptualization. International conference sponsored by UNESCO-UNEVOC International centre and by Ministry of Education, Thailand. Integrating Sustainable Development Issues into TVET: Poverty Alleviation and Skills for Employability, Citizenship and Conservation, August 10-13, Bangkok, Thailand.
  • Pavlova, M. (2005). Issues and concerns about TVET in Australia, prepared for Sub-Regional Induction/Refresher Course and Mapping UNEVOC Network Seminar, organised by UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre and OVEC, Ministry of Education, Thailand, 8-9 August, Bangkok, Thailand.

Invited seminar presentation

  • Pavlova, M. (2008). Education and the Politics of Development in Russia. (22 January). Public seminar series The Politics and Culture of Education in Contemporary Russia organised by St. Antony's College and Department of Educational Studies, Comparative Education and Russian and European Studies, Oxford University, UK.
  • Pavlova, M. (2006). Education for sustainable development. Festschrift for Professor Tapio Varies. (September 1). Helsinki, OKKA Foundation and Research Centre for Vocational Education University of Tampere, Finland.
  • Pavlova, M. (2005). Process of internationalisation of technology education reform in Russia: The role of the British Council (November 18). Berlin, Humboldt University, Germany.

Research based consultancy

I was invited and funded to organise and facilitate a research forum on Challenges and Solutions for TVET development for European countries in transition. This was a result of a collaborative research project I led in 2005 that involved working with representatives from 8 countries including: the Republic of Macedonia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovenia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Croatia and Turkey on the following contemporary issues in TVET: Social partnerships and TVET; Quality assurance; Social inclusion, equity and meeting diverse needs; Reorientation towards the future: occupations in demand/ youth employment. I was invited and funded by UNESCO-UNEVOC to write a background paper, moderate a three week - virtual conference and prepare a final report on TVET and sustainability.

International appointments

  • Consultant, UNESCO-UNEVOC International centre, Bonn (2005-current).
  • Adjunct Professor, Department of Technology Education and Labour Training, Nizhegorodsky Institute of Development of Education, Russia (2001-2006).
  • Research fellow, State University of Pedagogical Arts, St Petersburg, Russia (1992-1994).

Visiting appointments

  • Visiting Scholar (Curriculum adviser), Zhenjiang Technology Institute of Economy (ZJTIE), Hangzhou Zhejiang Province China, 2007.
  • Visiting scholar, UNESCO-UNEVOC International centre, Bonn, 2006.
  • Visiting scholar, Humboldt University, Germany, 2005.

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