Meet The Education Researcher

Dr. Ruth Jeanes (Monash University) talks about her research on sport and education - ranging from studies of community park-runs in Melbourne to PE lessons in Zambian schools. We talk about Ruth's work exploring the potential of sport as a space for transformation - while also tackling the ways in which dominant values and inequalities can be reproduced in sporting contexts ... We also reflect on the experience of UK academics coming to work in Australia!

A/Prof Sonya Horsford (Columbia University) talks about her research on the history and politics of race, inequality, and leadership in US education. The conversation ranges from WEB du Bois to what it now means to work as an education researcher in the times of Trump. Sonya also reflects on the insights to be gained from applying historical and community perspectives to contemporary education issues.

Dr. Kristin Reimer (Monash University) talks about her research on inclusive education, restorative justice and relational approaches in education. We talk about viewing education in terms of mutual (rather than controlling) relationships, how teaching in Pyongyang opened Kristin’s eyes to the radical possibilities of the classroom, and the benefits of being an ‘international’ academic.

Dr. John Potter (University College London, UK) is a prominent voice in the field of media education. In this interview John talks about his research around the areas of digital media, culture and education. The discussion covers John’s current interest in ‘dynamic literacies’, ‘digital curation’ and ‘third spaces’, the trials of carrying out co-research with young people, and a reminder of the privilege of being able to do academic work for a living.

Prof. Alex Kostogriz(Monash University) talks about his dual research agendas around the topics of languages education and the professional learning of teachers. We talk a lot about using social theory and education research as a political act ... as well as Alex's recent thinking around 'proximal ethnography', and the benefits of moving between different universities.

Dr. Amanda Heffernan(Monash University) talks about her research on education leadership and how school principals enact education policy. We talk about Foucault, academic conference tactics, juggling the pressures of being an early 'early career researcher', and the benefits of getting involved with social media.

Dr. Ben Williamson (University of Stirling, UK) has developed some of the most insightful critical analyses of how education futures are being shaped by commercial high-tech interests. In this interview Ben talks about his work tracing the political implications of classroom apps, personalised learning and bio-social technologies in the classroom.

Prof Susie Garvis (Gothenburg University) talks about her work in the area of early childhood education - in particular her recent work in the areas of quality and policy. Susie talks about making the move to Sweden from Monash a couple of years ago, and her experiences of being a 'travelling academic'. The conversation ranges from how the Russians see Vygotsky through to the challenge of getting European funding.

A/Prof Umesh Sharma (Monash University) talks about his research in the area of inclusive education in developing and developed countries. Amongst other things, Umesh talks about the challenges of research in the Asia-Pacific contexts, how to develop international networks, and the motivation of influencing education policy.

Eleanor Christie (commissioning editor from Palgrave Macmillan) talks about how education researchers can get their work published in book form. The conversation covers the secret of successful proposal writing; how to turn a PhD thesis into a book; the importance of a book's identity; and future trends in academic book publishing.