Professional positions
- (2009) Adjunct Professor, enhancing research productivity, Griffith Institute for Educational Research and Faculty of Education, Griffith University.
- (2008-2011) Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Education, Griffith University.
- (2007-2008) Deputy Dean Research, Faculty of Education, Griffith University (Foundation Appointment).
- (2003-2005) Director, Centre for Learning Research, Griffith University (Foundation Appointment).
- (2000-2001) Research Professor Detachment to develop the research productivity of the School of Vocational, Technology and Arts Education.
- (1997-2000) Head, School of Vocational, Technology and Arts Education, Faculty of Education, Griffith University (Foundation appointment).
- (1995-1996) Deputy Dean and Head of School of Vocational, Community and Technology Education, Faculty of Education, Griffith University (Foundation appointment).
- (1993-1994) Deputy Dean and Head of School of Continuing Education and Technology, Faculty of Education, Griffith University (Foundation appointment).
- (1992-1995) Director, Centre for Skill Formation Research and Development, Faculty of Education, Griffith University (Foundation appointment).
- (1992-) Professor of Post-Compulsory Education and Training, Faculty of Education, Griffith University (Foundation appointment).
- (1991-1993) Head of (Course) School of Adult and Vocational Education and Training, and (Academic) School of Adult and Vocational Education, Faculty of Education, Griffith University (Foundation appointments).
- (1990-1992) Associate Professor, Division of Education, Griffith University.
- (1989-1990) Head, Department of Adult and Vocational Education, Brisbane College of Advanced Education (Foundation appointment).
- (1988-1989) Director, Educational Review and Enhancement, Department of Employment, Vocational Education and Training, Queensland (Foundation appointment).
- (1978-1988) Assistant Director, Curriculum Services, Division of TAFE, Department of Education, Queensland.
- (1977) Principal, Kangaroo Point College of TAFE, Queensland
- (1975 1977) Principal Education Officer Curriculum Development, TAFE Curriculum Branch, Department of Education, Queensland (Foundation appointment).
- (1974 1975) Assistant Supervisor / Acting Supervisor, Technical Correspondence School, Queensland.
- (1972 1974) Officer in Charge, Sugar School, Mackay Technical College, Queensland (Foundation appointment).
- (1967-1972) Research Chemist, Sugar Research Institute, Mackay, Queensland.
Advisory groups
- Member, International Advisory Committee, Feasibility Study on a PISA-VET international comparative study, University of Goettingen, Germany (2004-2006).
- External Member, Education Panel, Performance Based Research Fund, Tertiary Education Commission, New Zealand (2003).
- Member, International Advisory Committee, Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning, Stirling University and Glasgow Caledonian University (2001-).
- External Examiner Technical and Technology Education Courses Hong Kong Institute of Education (1996- 2005).
- Assessor, Australian Research Council Grant Applications (1992-).
- Member, Reference Committee, Department of Employment, Education and Training project on Skills Formation through Adult and Community Education (1991).
- Member, Steering Committee, TAFE Teacher Skills Analysis Project, undertaken by National Conference of TAFE Directors and DEET (1990-1991).
- Member, Curriculum Projects Steering Group of the Australian Conference of TAFE Directors, since its formation in 1981 until 1988 (This group consisted of the heads of curriculum branches of all Australian state TAFE authorities. It initiated and managed all national curriculum projects).
- Convenor, National Committee on the Classification of TAFE Courses (1982-1986) (This committee devised the national system of TAFE streams on which awards are based).
- Member, Review Committee established by the Western Australian Council on Tertiary Awards to evaluate the science and technology areas of the Technical Education Division (1986)
- Member, various Steering Committees for research and evaluation projects sponsored by TAFE National Centre for Research and Development, and Commonwealth Departments concerned with education and employment (1981- 1988).
Professional associations
- Member, European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (1993-2007).
- Member, American Educational Research Association (1993-2007).
- Member, Australian Association for Research in Education (1990-1998).
- Member, Australian College of Education (1985-1998).
- Member, Queensland Institute for Educational Research (1996-2000).
- Registered Teacher (1976-2003).
- Executive Member, E.F. Gutekunst Teachers' Centre (1974).
- Executive Member, Queensland Technical and Further Educators' Professional Association (1975).
- Chartered Chemist and Member, Royal Australian Chemical Institute (1971-1995).
Editorships, editorial boards and journal reviewing
Foundation editorships
- Australian and New Zealand Journal of Vocational Education Research (1993-2002).
- Australian Vocational Education Review (1994-1995).
- Newsletters on Developments in Post compulsory Education and Training (1992).
Editorial boards and panels
- Journal of Adult and Continuing Education (previously Scottish Journal of Adult and Continuing Education), International Advisory Board, (2000-).
- Journal of Vocational Education and Training (previously The Vocational Aspect of Education), Advisory Panel, (since 1994).
- Curriculum Perspectives, Editorial Board, (1985-).
- Studies in Learning, Evaluation, Innovation and Development, Board, (2004-).
- Design and Education, Editorial Panel, (1995-).
- Studies in Continuing Education, Board, (1991-1997).
Reviewing for other journals
- Australian Journal of Education.
- Australian Journal for Educational Research.
- International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences.
- Psychological Bulletin.
- Australian Educational and Development Psychologist.
- Unicorn.