Research

Research underpins all of the work of the School of Education at Murdoch University. It is a strategic component of the School’s identity, and is a core value out of which the School acts.

The School of Education has an established track record in relation to translational research including research that informs practice and policy, generates new knowledge, and is in service to the diverse communities we serve. The research environment within the School is maintained through the energy and dedication of staff, and strong national and international links that results in consistent high-quality collaborations and outputs. Staff are regularly asked to provide keynotes at international and national conferences and contribute to competitive research grants, reflecting expertise and prestige.

In addition, the School has an outstanding reputation for providing research training to HDR students with high levels of completions thereby building both a new generation of researchers, further reflecting the culture and environment where research is a collective priority. In these ways, the School’s educational research is seen as contributing to a secure future. 

Securing our future

As a society, we are faced with dynamic changes including health, social, environmental, and economic challenges that impact on our ability to lead global ‘connected’ lives that are fulfilling and have meaning. The so-called ‘wicked problems’ that we face require trans-disciplinary approaches that go beyond one place, group, or discipline. This brings a series of challenges we are engaged with and committed to working on with key stakeholders and with our local and broader communities.

Our research predominantly focuses on improving educational and learning opportunities—hence life experiences—and the ways in which individuals and their communities can engage in these opportunities facilitating the ability to ‘thrive’ in times of uncertainty and hyper-complexity. 

Through our research, we examine aspects of teaching and learning and pursue opportunities to provide contemporary solutions through our research:

• Equity in Education, identifying, responding to and countering issues stemming from a lack access, responsiveness, capacity and/or provision for children and young people 
• Diversity of students, teaching work forces and of our communities 
• Impact through our ability to make a difference for children and young people’s engagement, performance and learning outcomes, to their communities and society. 

• Undertake educational research that is translational in nature, building knowledge, improving practice, informing policy 
• Engage in research collaborations, partnerships and affiliations, to extend the reach of our research, to broaden the knowledge that we draw on and enhance our research through interdisciplinary expertise 
• Prioritise quality research through research training, research supervision and contributions to research through service to research activities within and beyond Murdoch University

This work is underpinned and guided by the following principles and beliefs: 

• Commitment to rigorous, high-quality research practice 
• Social justice, equity and making a difference 
• Building research funds of knowledge 
• Conducting research of consequence 
• Continual knowledge transfer

Research projects