Biography
Dr. Matthew Thomas, SFHEA is the Director of Professional Experience. His research is focussed on enhancing initial teacher education, the sociology of time and education, surveillance capitalism and human rights.
Read more on Matthew's profileBiography summary
Matthew Krehl Edward Thomas (BA [Hons] La Trobe, GCertHELT, GCertAIB Deakin, GDipEd, PhD UniMelb) SFHEA is a Senior Lecturer in Education (Pedagogy and Curriculum) at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia. He is the Director of Professional Experience. Matthew lectures in teaching (pedagogy) and curriculum (design) and trains postgraduate researchers. In addition, he works internationally leading humanitarian projects through global immersion programs. He is a former schoolteacher with a background in leadership, strategy, and negotiation. Matthew’s research is focused on enhancing initial teacher education and seeks to critically disrupt dominant power relations by examining the structures of teaching and learning (power, time, social justice) and how these privilege learners unevenly. Central to his work is a commitment to merging theory with practice and enhancing the development of teachers’ pedagogy, inclusion, and human rights. Matthew’s research critiques the systems in which educators are formed and practise and works to enhance teaching practice at a system level, focusing on the development of highly capable, relational teachers for a more equitable society. He co-edited Post-Qualitative Research and Innovative Methodologies (Bloomsbury Academic) and Inclusive Education is a Right, right? (Brill) and has published numerous journal articles. His most recent research explores the intersection of temporality and commodification of personal data.
Research interests
- Initial Teacher Education
- Sociology of Time & Education
- Human Rights
- Surveillance Capitalism
Affiliations
Teaching interests
- Research Methodology & Methods
- Global Experience & Intercultural Understanding
- Pedagogy
- Curriculum
Units taught
Currently Teaching
- EDX707 - Research Project
- EDX703/4 - Research Paper
- EDX705/6 - Minor Thesis
Previously Taught
- EDX701 - Research Design Development and Method
- EPR783 - Reflecting On Professional Experience
- EPR781 - Planning For Learning In Professional Experience
- EEE751 - Teaching: Promoting Successful Learning
- EEE752 - Planning and assessment with diverse learners
Knowledge areas
Ask me about?
- Sociology of Time and Education
- Initial Teacher Education
- Human Rights
- Surveillance Capitalism
Conferences
- Bearman, M. Corrin, L. Taylor, D. Thomas, M.K.E. (2023) Sustainability of teaching and learning innovations in higher education. HERDSA, Brisbane
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Thomas, M. K. E., Downes, N, Johnstone, K. Heyting, E. (2023). Safer Learners Everybody’s business: The case for child safe training in ITE, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds Campus.
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Black, R. Garrard, R, Thomas, M.K.E. (2023). Education for Social Justice: Academic resistance in Critical Times, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds Campus.
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Thomas, M.K.E. Robertson, N. Mooney, A. (2023). Things we didn’t see coming: How to overcome the crisis in teacher education? Deakin University, Waurn Ponds Campus.
- Thomas, M. K. E., & Whitburn, B. (2021). Assessment for Inclusion: Off the clock and just in time What is assessment for inclusion?, Deakin University, Melbourne Campus.
- Thomas, M. K. E., & Whitburn, B. (2019). Risks in TIme to Inclusive Educational Rights Education in an Era of Risk – the Role of Educational Research for the Future, Hamburg, Germany.
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Skourdoumbis, A., Rowolle, S., & Thomas, M. K. E. (2019). Using the Bourdieuian notion of ‘Economism’ to theorize education policy representations of innovation and creativity Educational Research and Educational Policy-Making, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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Skourdoumbis, A., & Thomas, M. K. E. (2019). Teaching As Improvisation: New Education Policy Directions Of Pedagogy. Education in an Era of Risk – the Role of Educational Research for the Future, Hamburg, Germany.
- Thomas, M. K. E., & Whitburn, B. (2018). TIES: The Inclusive Education Summit, Deakin University, Waterfront Campus.
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Thomas, M. K. E. (2017). The Erosion of the Public: From Romper Stomper to Woof-Woof Summer Institute in Qualitative Research:Putting Theory to Work.
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Thomas, M. K. E. (2017). Temporality and Diffraction: Visual Possibilities. Summer Institute in Qualitative Research: Putting Theory to Work, Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom.
- Thomas, M. K. E., McKnight, L., & Bellingham, R. (2016). Symposium: In defence of the dark arts: merging theory and method to transfigure education research Australian Association for Research in Education, Melbourne, Australia.
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Thomas, M. K. E. (2016) Left behind: What possibility remains for a pedagogy of insurrection in the current Australian context Australian Association for Research in Education Annual International Conference, AARE, Melbourne, Australia MCG, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Thomas, M. K. E. (2013). Manufacturing consensus: does pedagogy shape what is common sense? AARE 2013: Shaping Australian Educational Research. Australian Association for Research in Education Annual International Conference, Adelaide.
- Thomas, M. K. E. (2011). The Empty Child: The Reproduction Of Culture Through Schooling. AARE Conference 2011, Hobart, Tasmania.
Professional activities
Research groups
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Innovating Teacher Education (ITE)
Prioritises the co-production of research-informed partnerships and alliances across the eco-systems of educational provision that includes early childhood, school and higher education.
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Being and Becoming Learners (BBL)
Explores innovative, creative and ethical ways in understanding and engaging diverse learners within early childhood, schooling, home and communities to enhance understanding of the ecologies in which they live, learn and play.
Awards
- 2022 Faculty Teaching & Learning Award: Teaching and Learning innovations that inspire.
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2019 SFHEA Senior Fellow: Global Recognition HEA Fellowship demonstrates a personal and institutional commitment to professionalism in learning and teaching in higher education.
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2017 ESRI REDI inaugural Travelling Fellow: Education and Social Research Institute (ESRI) & Research for Educational Impact (REDI)
- 2016 RCA Award: Research Coaching Australia Faculty Award
Projects
Current Projects:
- Safer Learners
- Chronopolitics
- Critical Times: Producing the global graduate in a pandemic
- Improving Mentoring in Teacher Education
- Horsham Wimmera Multi-Provider Teaching Academy of Professional Practice
- Innovative ITE intervention to address teacher workforce supply
- Graduate Certificate of Secondary Digital Technologies
- Access Quality Teaching
- Multi-Provider Teaching Academy: A Professional Practice Model for workforce creation in Rural and Regional Victoria
- Global Immersion Experience's for Pre-Service Teachers
Past Projects:
- Study and Pilot testing of a Multi-Provider Teaching Academy & Professional Practice Model for workforce creation in Rural Victoria
- What a difference a school makes: Effective schools serving vulnerable communities
- Global Immersion Experience's for Pre-Service Teachers
- National Exceptional Teaching for Disadvantaged Schools Review: NETDS
- Inclusive education is a Right, right? (Brill)
- The Inclusive Education Summit Conference Committee
- Graduate Teacher Conferences (GTC)
- Higher Education Partnership and Participation Program (HEPPP)
- Twilight Seminar Series: Diversity and Inclusion
- National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE)
- Melton & Wyndham: Strengthening Connections between School, Young People, Parents and Community.
- Educational Consciousness: Pop Up Schools
- Koorie Inclusive School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS)
Publications
The plague years in Australian higher education
Matthew Thomas, Ben Whitburn
(2023), pp. 168-184, Building the Post-Pandemic University : Imagining, Contesting and Materializing Higher Education Futures, London, Eng., B1
Producing the global graduate: academic labour and imagined futures in critical times
Ros Black, Matthew Thomas, Margaret Bearman
(2023), pp. 1-18, Pedagogy Culture and Society, London, Eng., C1
Being critical of the student achievement problem in Australia
Andrew Skourdoumbis, Matthew Thomas, Shaun Rawolle
(2023), pp. 1-17, The Australian Educational Researcher, Berlin, Germany, C1
Ontological Assessment Decisions in Teaching and Learning
B Whitburn, M Thomas
(2022), pp. 74-84, Assessment for Inclusion in Higher Education: Promoting Equity and Social Justice in Assessment, London, Eng., B1
The emotional transition to online teaching: grief, loss, and implications for academic development
D Taylor, M Bearman, S Scarparo, M Thomas
(2022), Vol. 27, pp. 176-190, International Journal for Academic Development, London, Eng., C1
Risks in time: to inclusive educational rights
Ben Whitburn, Matthew Thomas
(2021), Vol. 47, pp. 37-50, Inclusive education is a right, right?, Leiden, The Netherlands, B1
Artificial Intelligence, Neoliberalism and Human Rights
Matthew Thomas, Leechin Heng, Peter Walker
(2021), Vol. 47, pp. 186-199, Inclusive education is a right, right?, Leiden, The Netherlands, B1
Matthew Thomas, Leechin Heng, Peter Walker
(2021), Vol. 47, pp. 1-8, Inclusive education is a right, right?, Leiden, The Netherlands, B1
Westworld and Marxism: When Violent Delights Meet Revolutionary Ends
Matthew Thomas, Trevor McCandless
(2021), Vol. 15, pp. 9-20, Unlocking Social Theory with Popular Culture : Remixing Theoretical Influencers, Berlin, Germany, B1
A Right to be Included: The Best and Worst of Times for Learners with Disabilities
Ben Whitburn, Matthew Thomas
(2021), Vol. 23, pp. 104-113, Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research, Stockholm, Sweden, C1
B Fox, M Bearman, R Bellingham, A North-Samardzic, S Scarparo, D Taylor, M Thomas, M Volkov
(2021), Vol. 52, pp. 2077-2092, British Journal of Educational Technology, C1
School-wide positive behaviour support as evidence-making interventions
T Corcoran, M Edward Thomas
(2021), Vol. 111, pp. 108-125, Research in Education, C1
Equity through exceptional teaching: National Exceptional Teaching for Disadvantaged Schools (NETDS)
Lynette Longaretti, Matthew Thomas
(2021), Melbourne, Vic., A6
Inclusive Education Is a Right, Right?
Matthew Thomas, Leechin Heng, Peter Walker
(2021), Leiden, The Netherlands, A7
The vitality of theory in research innovation
Matthew Thomas, Robin Bellingham
(2020), pp. 1-16, Post-qualitative research and innovative methodologies, London, Eng., B1
Time, power and education. Zeit, macht und bildung
Matthew Thomas, Ben Whitburn
(2020), pp. 187-210, Frontiers in time research – Einführung in die interdisziplinäre Zeitforschung, Wiesbaden, Germany, B1
Post-Qualitative Research and Innovative Methodologies
Matthew Thomas, Robin Bellingham
(2020), London, Eng., A7
Critical videographic research methods: researching teacher's lives and work post '9/11'
M Thomas, Julianne Moss
(2019), pp. 83-102, Video-based research in education : cross disciplinary perspectives, Abingdon, Eng., B1
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and the pedagogy of misdirection
Matthew Thomas, Bernadette Walker-Gibbs
(2019), pp. 130-137, Teachers and teaching on stage and on screen : dramatic depictions, Bristol, Eng., B1
Robin Bellingham, Matthew Thomas, Karen Charman, Mary Dixon, Jayson Cooper
(2019), pp. 77-91, Re-imagining education for democracy, London, Eng., B1
M Thomas, B Whitburn
(2019), Vol. 40, pp. 159-173, British Journal of Sociology of Education, C1
Evaluation of the Koorie Inclusive School Wide Positive Behavioural Support (KISWPBS) Pilot.
Tim Corcoran, Matthew Thomas
(2019), Geelong, Vic., A6
Success and failure in higher education on uneven playing fields
Bernadette Walker-Gibbs, Rola Ajjawi, Emma Rowe, Andrew Skourdoumbis, Matthew Thomas, Sarah O'Shea, Sue Bennett, Brandi Fox, Peter Alsen
(2019), [Bentley, W.A.], A6
P Rodd, K Sanders, R Bellingham, M Thomas, A Skourdoumbis, M Rahimi
(2017), Geelong, Vic., A6
Towards a Footscray Curriculum
K Charman, M Dixon, R Bellingham, M Thomas, J Cooper
(2017), Footscray, Vic., A6
S Rawolle, C Ure, J Blackmore, A Gallant, R Gorur, A Keddie, J Moss, A Nolan, J Rowlands, A Skourdoumbis, M Thomas, R Tytler, R Webster
(2016), Geelong, Vic., A6
The empty child: the reproduction of culture through schooling
M Thomas
(2011), pp. 1-19, AARE 2011: Researching Across Boundaries. Proceedings of the Australian Association for Research in Education Annual Conference, Hobart, Tas., E1-1
A Jones, S Majowicz, V Edge, M Thomas, L MacDougall, M Fyfe, S Atashband, S Kovacs
(2007), Vol. 388, pp. 54-65, Science of the Total Environment, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
A role of high impact weather events in waterborne disease outbreaks in Canada, 1975-2001
M Thomas, D Charron, D Waltner-Toews, C Schuster, A Maarouf, J Holt
(2006), Vol. 16, pp. 167-180, International Journal of Environmental Health Research, London, Eng., C1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Other Public Sector Funding
Success and Failure in Higher Education on uneven playing fields.
A/Prof Bernadette Walker-Gibbs, Prof Rola Ajjawi, Dr Emma Rowe, A/Prof Andrew Skourdoumbis, Dr Matthew Thomas, A/Prof Sarah O'Shea, Prof Sue Bennett
NCSEHE National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Research
- 2018: $23,281
- 2017: $7,906
Koorie Inclusive School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) Evaluation
A/Prof Tim Corcoran, Dr Matthew Thomas
DETVic Grant - Research - Department of Education and Training Victoria
- 2019: $94,178
- 2018: $18,073
Graduate Teacher Conferences: Design, Implementation and Evaluation.
Prof Julianne Moss, Mrs Kate Harvie, Dr Jacqui Peters, Mrs Kate Moncrieff, Dr Julie Arnold, Dr Cassandra Iannucci, Ms Claire Stonehouse, Dr Matthew Thomas, A/Prof Bernadette Walker-Gibbs, A/Prof Amanda Mooney, Dr Emma Rowe, Dr Brandi Fox
Department of Education and Training Victoria
- 2022: $238,011
- 2021: $582,596
- 2020: $344,395
- 2019: $244,037
- 2018: $182,564
Developing the National Exceptional teaching for Disadvantaged Schools Program.
Prof Dianne Toe, Dr Lynette Longaretti, Dr Julie Arnold, Dr Matthew Thomas
DETVic Grant - Research - Department of Education and Training Victoria
- 2020: $106,250
National Exceptional Teaching for Disadvantaged Schools 2021.
Prof Dianne Toe, Dr Lynette Longaretti, Dr Julie Arnold, Dr Matthew Thomas
DETVic Grant - Research - Department of Education and Training Victoria
- 2021: $83,430
Study and Pilot testing of a Multi-Provider Teaching Academy of Professional Practice Model for workforce creating in Victorian Rural and Regional.
Prof Damian Blake, Dr Matthew Thomas, A/Prof Amanda Mooney, Prof Dianne Toe, Mrs Edwina El Hachem
DETVic Grant - Research - Department of Education and Training Victoria
- 2021: $150,000
Access Quality Teaching
Dr Lynette Longaretti, Dr Matthew Thomas, Dr Claire Charles, Prof Dianne Toe, Dr Julie Arnold
DETVic Grant - Research - Department of Education and Training Victoria
- 2023: $83,750
- 2022: $87,325
- 2021: $90,000
Improving Mentoring in Teacher Education.
Dr Matthew Thomas, A/Prof Amanda Mooney, Dr Kate Johnstone, Prof Damian Blake, Dr Trent Brown, Dr Kellie Tobin
DETVic Grant - Research - Department of Education and Training Victoria
- 2023: $75,000
- 2022: $75,000
Innovative ITE intervention to address teacher workforce supply.
A/Prof Amanda Mooney, Prof Damian Blake, Dr Kellie Tobin, Dr Adam Usher, Dr Cheryl Ryan, Ms Juliet Austin, Dr Matthew Thomas
DETVic Grant - Research - Department of Education and Training Victoria
- 2023: $160,000
- 2022: $50,000
Design and delivery of a Graduate Certificate of Secondary Digital Technologies.
A/Prof Julianne Lynch, A/Prof Andrew Cain, Dr Jo Raphael, Dr George Aranda, Dr Sunil Aryal, Dr Chathu Ranaweera, Dr Carly Sawatzki, Dr Matthew Thomas, Dr Guy Wood-Bradley, A/Prof Glenn Auld, Dr John Cripps Clark, A/Prof Linda Hobbs
DETVic Grant - Research - Department of Education and Training Victoria
- 2023: $512,385
Implementing a Multi-Provider Professional Practice Model in Victorian Regional Communities.
Dr Matthew Thomas, Prof Damian Blake, Dr Kate Johnstone, Mrs Edwina El Hachem, Dr Lynette Longaretti
DETVic Grant - Research - Department of Education and Training Victoria
- 2023: $208,330
Industry and Other Funding
Wyndham & Melton: Strengthening Connections between School, Young People, Parents and Community
Dr Piper Rodd, Dr Robin Bellingham, Dr Matthew Thomas, A/Prof Andrew Skourdoumbis
The Salvation Army
- 2016: $100,000
Supervisions
Kristian Kirkwood
Thesis entitled: The pedagogical potential of digital games to enhance the learning of spelling for English Second Language Learners in a Persian Gulf State
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education
Jiqing Sun
Thesis entitled: Beyond shallow teaching: implementing a gamified learning activity in a mathematics classroom
Doctor of Philosophy (Education), School of Education