Western Australian Institute for Educational Research 36th Annual Research Forum at The University of Notre Dame Forum 2021 Panel presentation [ Forum invitation ] [ Program ] [ Abstracts ]

How research has influenced policy and practice in education: A personal perspective

Panel members will each identify the research that has most influenced their own professional life and how it has impacted their practice, and/or how they have used the research to inform the practice of others.
Chairperson: Dr Paul Gardner

Colin Pettit is the Commissioner for Children and Young People WA, working to improve the wellbeing of children and young people, delivering education services and programs in regional and remote areas, as a teacher and then principal in various regional schools, before becoming Executive Director Regional and Remote Education. Colin is the Vice Chancellor of the Children's University WA Partnership and holds an Honorary Doctorate of Education from Edith Cowan University.

Jette Oksis is Coordinator for Regional Services, at the Department of Education: South Metropolitan Education Region. In her role she works with interagency groups, supports school networks and manages home education. Prior to this she was involved in behaviour and engagement, supporting schools and teachers, and co-designing and facilitating a range of professional learning across the state.

Dr Janene Sproul divides her time between high school and university. Based in Science education, teaching secondary students at John Wollaston ACS keeps her inclusive pedagogies current, whilst working with pre-service teachers at Murdoch University allows her to share these practical skills. Within an evolving digital classroom landscape, Janene's research focuses on support for students with disabilities, providing timely, evidence-based adjustments for school practitioners.

Allan Blagaich is the Executive Director, School Curriculum and Standards Authority, Department of Education, Western Australia. This role provides interface between the Board of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority and the, Director General, Department of Education. He is a member of Australasian Curriculum Assessment and Certification Authorities (ACACA) and a board member of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).

Professor Barry Down is Adjunct Professor in the Centre for Research in Educational and Social Inclusion (CRESI) at the University of South Australia and Emeritus Professor, Murdoch University. He has been Chief Investigator on numerous Australian Research Council (ARC) grants investigating student engagement, school-to-work transitions, early career teacher resilience and performance arts. His current research involves a critical analysis of school exclusion policies.

Chairperson: Dr Paul Gardner is Vice-President of WAIER, as well as being a Senior Lecturer in Primary English at Curtin University. He is a leading academic at the Centre for Excellence in the Explicit Teaching of Literacy, which is funded by the State Government of Western Australia. He is internationally known through his work as the United Kingdom Literacy Association's Ambassador to Australia, as well as for his academic contributions to the field of literacy education.