Our research focus
Research in GIER exists to ensure that the benefits that can flow from any educational or learning opportunity are genuinely available to the diverse members of our community. By identifying and removing barriers we create genuinely inclusive and positive environments that enable all people to thrive. We work closely with partners in schools, community organisations, workplaces, and the wider community to ensure our research genuinely responds to urgent and pressing demands - maximising our relevance and our impact. This work is organised around five priority areas each with national and international significance. Individually and in combination, the research projects linked to these priorities address urgent issues relating to the wellbeing of diverse learners, and diverse educators, living, learning, and working in diverse contexts.
Evolving perspectives on Equity, Excellence and Care in Education
Strengths based approaches to Autism, Neurodiversity and Inclusion
Teacher education for excellence, equity and impact
Equity and quality in curriculum, pedagogies and learning environments
Lifelong learners in diverse contexts: workplace, professional, and community learning
Evolving Perspectives on Equity, Excellence and Care in Education
The pursuit of both equity and excellence is a foundational commitment of GIER. Our work seeks to make visible the multiple factors that impact educational opportunities, experiences and outcomes, and to ensure that all people can benefit from the benefits that are intended to flow from diverse learning experiences.
Our internationally recognised research teams provide leadership to those who are seeking to understand what equity and excellence can actually mean; how opportunities and advantages are constructed and constrained; and how the meanings of related terms such as social justice, transformation, advantage and disadvantage change as we develop new ways of looking at and talking about diversity.
Recent projects
- Leonie Rowan: with Joanne Brownlee, Mary Ryan, Sue Walker; Theresa Bourke, Eva Johannsson. (2022-2019). Educating preservice teachers to teach diverse learners. ARC Discovery Project. $370,212.
- Beryl Exley, Linda Willis. (2021). Building global competence through enhanced literacy teaching and learning: Investigating student agency in the early year. Education Horizon Research Grant. $50,221.
- Beryl Exley, Parlo Singh. (2019). Quality teaching work and reducing educational inequalities. ARC Discovery Projects (including Fellowship). $436,437.
- Tasha Riley, Bev Fluckiger, Greer Johnson. (2018). The Indigenous Family-School Engagement Pilot. Department of Education - Queensland CCR . $162,870.
Equity and quality in curriculum, pedagogies and learning environments
GIER researchers have convincingly demonstrated the transformative power of curriculum, pedagogies and learning environments that are inclusive, holistic, future-focused and capable of adapting as educational processes evolve and change.
Our work in this focus area is concerned with the inclusion of all members of learning ecosystems: learners, educators, families, carers and communities, in learning environments.
Our internationally recognised research teams explore the design of curriculums and pedagogies that foreground diverse learners and learning experiences to address student’s needs and create positive, transformative learning experiences.
Recent projects
- Peter Grootenboer. (2022). Evaluation Support for the Curriculum Reform Communities Project. NSW Department of Education CCR . $110,986.
- Sarah Prestridge. (2022). Leading remote schooling @ Ormiston Phase 3Blended teaching. Ormiston College Limited CCR . $57,111.
- Kathy Gibbs, Stuart Woodcock. (2022). Catholic Education Online Modules. Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools CCR . $65020.
- Kevin Larkin. (2021). Early Learning STEM Australia (ELSA) F-2. University of Canberra CCR . $300,000.
- Beryl Exley, Linda Willis. (2021). Engaging parents and school communities in children's learning and wellbeing: Using inquiry curriculum and online technologies. Independent Schools Queensland Collaboration. $160,000.
- Greg Vass (2021). A qualitative and quantitative study of the challenges, opportunities and possibilities for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Content in the Australian Curriculum. The University of New South Wales ARC. $59,942.
- Steven Hodge; Lizzie Knight. (2021). An investigation of the curriculum and institutional challenges of bringing vocational and higher education qualifications together to facilitate movement of students between sectors. National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). $71,285.
- Katherine Main, Donna Pendergast. (2020). Adolescent learner online modules. South Australia Department of Education CCR . $255,250.
- Parlo Singh, Beryl Exley. (2019). Quality teaching work and reducing educational inequalities. ARC Discovery Projects (including Fellowship). $436,437.
Lifelong learners in diverse contexts: workplace, professional, and community learning
Learning exists in every aspect and at every stage of an individual’s life. GIER research is committed to connecting people to empowering and diverse opportunities to learn, within and beyond commonly recognised sites for learning, such as workplaces, schools, universities and community contexts.
Our research projects recognise that learning is everywhere, and always possible. We expand the body of educational knowledge that addresses the most 'wicked' problems relating barriers to learning, and the ways workplaces, communities and both familiar and unfamiliar sites of education can effectively engage with diverse people.
Recent projects
- Kathy Gibbs, Stuart Woodcock. (2022). Catholic Education Online Modules. Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools CCR . $65,020.
- Sarojni Choy. (2021). Investigating professional learning lives in the digital evolution of work. ARC Discovery Projects (including Fellowship). $76,128.
- Yoriko Kikkawa, Tim Mavin, Steven Hodge. (2020). Improving Advanced Life Support training for frontline healthcare workers under novel conditions. $180,000.
- Stephen Billett. (2019). Work-life learning to sustain employability: Practices and policies. ARC Discovery Projects (including Fellowship). $314,773.
- Stephen Billett. (2019). Resilience in Healthcare. Norwegian Research Council Grant. $112,000.
- Benjamin Williams, Jennifer Clifton, Kate Thompson. (2018). Impact of eBooks: exploring student health, learning and implications for policy and practice. Department of Education - Queensland CCR . $255,510
Strengths based approaches to autism, neurodiversity and inclusion
Consistent with our commitment to the transformative potential of education and learning, GIER is proud to be home to internationally recognised researchers leading transformative work in areas relating to autism, neurodiversity, and inclusion.
This research takes a strengths-based approach to understanding diverse learners and works to ensure that all stakeholders have a valued voice in the design and conduct of research. We also have expertise in regards to gifted and talented education, and learners’ experiences of twice and multiple-exceptionality.
Recent projects
- Dawn Adams, Kate Simpson, Jessica Paynter, Marleen Westerveld, Elizabeth Pellicano, David Trembath, Jac Houting, Martin Downes. (2022). Enhancing Quality of Life through an early Intervention co-developed with the autistic community (E-QoL-ITY). Medical Research Future Fun. $579 747.48.
- Dawn Adams, Kate Simpson. (2020). MINDS Autism Foundation PL Hub Program. MINDS Institute of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities CCR . $280,115.
- Dawn Adams, Kate Simpson, Martine Powell. (2020). Autism and sexual offending. Queensland Police Service CCR . $265,384.
- Marleen Westerveld, Jessica Paynter, D. McCartney, D. Smith. Providing early literacy sessions in libraries to pre-schoolers on the autism spectrum and their parents. Autism CRC Limited Grant. $77,350.
- Jacqui Roberts, Dawn Adams, Kate Simpson, Marleen Westerveld, Deb Keen, D. Trembath. (2014-2020). Longitudinal Study of Students with Autism (LASA). Autism Cooperative Research Centre, $661,989 ($1,063,000 inc. in-kind)
- Dawn Adams, Kate Simpson, Deb Keen, R. Rapee, K. Tucker, J. Rodgers. (2019). Improving academic outcomes by moderating anxiety in children with autism. Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project grant. $418,407.
- Dawn Adams, Jacqueline Roberts, Kate Thompson, Deb Keen. (2019). PACE: Partnering with the Autism Community to Enhance Research. GU Research Infrastructure Program Grant.
- Dawn Adams, Jacqueline Roberts. (2019). Development of the Online Autism Capability Profile. Queensland Department of Education, Autism Hub. $93,310.
- Jacqueline Roberts, Kate Simpson, Dawn Adams, Donna Pendergast. Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore CCR. MINDS Autism Program. $636,849.
Teacher education for excellence, equity and impact
Education—in all its forms and contexts—is central to personal, social, economic, and political freedom, but the benefits of education do not flow equitably to all people. One of the key mechanisms for addressing this challenge is teacher education.
Teacher education plays a central role in maximising the opportunities for diverse people to learn and to thrive. Our team of experts are committed to progressive, high-quality teacher education, that supports ongoing professional and personal development over the course of teacher's lives.
GIER research is committed to the equitable distribution of learning opportunities and outcomes and understands that teacher education and support plays a crucial role in student wellbeing and learning opportunities.
Recent projects
- Sarah Prestridge. (2022). Leading remote schooling @ Ormiston Phase 3Blended teaching. Ormiston College Limited CCR . $57,111.
- Peter Grootenboer. (2021). Improving middle leading practices in schools to enhance student learning. ARC Discovery Projects (including Fellowship). $380,256.
- Sarah Prestridge. (2021). iSee professional development project-iSeePL. iSee CCR. $52,892.
- Glenda MacGregor, Aspa Baroutsis. (2020). Supporting teachers and teaching in flexible and non-traditional schools. ARC Linkage - Projects (and/or APAI ). $161,251.
- Jennifer Cartmel, Marilyn Casley, Kerry Smith. (2018). Outside School Health Care and Spaces. CCR Workforce Development Applied Research Fund. $90 798.