A/Prof. Peta White

Professional commitment to the fields of Science, Environmental, Sustainability, and Climate Change Education

I have been a long-term activist and practitioner in the field of environmental education. As my career progresses, I adapt my leadership practices. I began as a classroom educator working with groups of young people and in local contexts. I then moved to lead and support local community groups to undertake local project and state conferences. I am currently an active member of several professional associations related to environmental education and science education. This developed into state and national executive roles where I provided leadership and engaged partners in undertaking project work and conference coordination. I currently continue this voluntary commitment and continue academic leadership roles in journals, communicating science and environmental education research and practice. My voluntary commitment is aligned to my professional capacity as a senior lecturer supporting future educators in these challenging times. I continue to practice living lightly on the earth and do what I can to support others to do the same.

Faculty of Arts & Education - Award for Engagement, Collaboration and Impact Through Research (2021)

Jeff Northfield Memorial Award for Excellence in Teacher Research (2021)

Senior HEA Fellowship (2021)

Finalist in the Staff Champion - Green Impact Australasian Award (2020)

Deakin University - Environmental Hero (2019)

Deakin University, Faculty of Arts and Education, International Partnerships Award (2016)

Melanson Award (2011)

Churchill Fellowship (2003)

Coordinator of the Interstate Landcare Education Study Tour (2001)

Coordinator of the Alcoa Landcare Scholarship, Wyalkatchem District High School - the recipient of the following:

• State Landcare Education Award (1997)
• National Landcare Awards - Finalist (1998)
• Young Australian of the Year - Highly Commended (1997)

Research interests of the STEME Education Research Group

Current Research Interests

• Climate Change Education
• Environmental and Sustainability Education (including socio-scientific inquiry and socially accute questioning)
• Science Education (Primary, Secondary, and Senior Biology)
• Inquiry pedagogy
• Contemporary Science priactice in Schools
• Critical Pedagogy and Transformative Education
• Interdisciplinarity and Transdisciplinarity in Education
• Post-qualitative, Action Orientated, Self-reflective Research Methodologies
• Activism and Action
• Student Engagement, Learning, and Reasoning
• Positive Learning Environments (classroom management)
• Teacher Education and Identity
• ICT and Digital Technology
• Assessment and Evaluation

PhD Research (2013)

Walking My Talk as an Intentional, Embodied (Co)constructed Environmental Educator (Link to online repositry of dissertation)
Exploring the question (how) can I use personal change to inspire educational and social/cultural change, this work was embodied and action orientated with a thesis that the doing (action) is as important as the thinking and talking about it. A three-dimensional model of exploring personal change through transformative education leading to social/cultural change was employed throughout this research. A critical poststructural ecofeminist frame undergirded an autoethnographic self-study where I changed my living practices to become more sustainable while living within society, and used this as a platform for how I could become a better environmental educator and activist. I reduced my ecological footprint from 16.4HA to 1.8HA and taught a preservice teacher course in environmental education, where I explored student resistances, power and relationships, a critique of curriculum, and personal change as a result of transformative education. One particular pedagogical strategy, the Action Learning Group Project, was developed and used to support others to undergo personal change through transformative education leading to social/cultural change. And finally, I use this work as an opportunity to undertake environmental education activism working to generate social/cultural change.

Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) - Registration # 393785

Australasian Science Education Research Association (ASERA)

European Science Education Research Association (ESERA)

Science Teachers' Association of Victoria Inc. (STAV)

Environment Education Victoria (EEV)

Australian Association for Environmental Education (AAEE)

Saskatchewan Outdoor and Environmental Education Association (SOEEA)

Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM)

North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)

Tertiary Teaching Experiences
I started my tertiary teaching experiences in 2003 with Curtin University teaching the Society and Environment Methods unit (2003) with two cohorts (online and in person). 

From the start of my graduate program in Canada (2005) I was an active and engaged member of the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina where I taught 14 undergraduate classes in education, supervised over 60 teacher candidates in their field placements, and managed the Science education labs (through renovation).

Additionally, I have worked for Royal Roads University in British Columbia, where, over the last four years, I taught two graduate courses in the Masters of Arts in Environmental Education and Communication program and completed fourteen Masters student research thesis supervisions (one of whom was nominated for the Governor Generals Award).

I also worked for the Arctic College, Nunavut, (through the University of Regina) in a remote Inuit community (Qikiqtarjuaq), teaching pre-service education students Assessment and Evaluation. 

Upon my return to Australia (2013) I joined Curtin University as part of the online tutoring team with Open University Australia Primary Education Program teaching the first year Introduction to Teaching unit (EDP 120) and fourth year Integrated programming (EDP 410).

At the same time I also tutored in the Southern Cross University Environmental Education unit online. 

I then undertook a full time Senior Lecturer position in Education with Edith Cowan University – South West.  In this role I enjoyed a full teaching load, initiated a small self-reflexive research project with colleagues, held a Science Extravaganza with students, and supported many on campus events such as the Engineering Day for school aged students. 

I am now employed in an ongoing position with Deakin University - Burwood Campus - Melbourne, Victoria.  In this role I become part of the exciting Science, Technology, and Environmental Education Research Group. 

In 2020, I was promoted to senior lecturer. In 2023, I was promoted to associate professor.

School-based Education Experience

• Science Specialist (years 1 - 10)
• Biology and Human Biology
• Social Studies/ Society and Environment
• General Primary (years 5/6/7)
• Mathematics
• Permaculture (Horticulture)
• Relief teaching in Western Australia (2006 - 2013)
• Substitute teaching in Saskatchewan (2008- 2012)

Deakin University

• Knowledge for Teaching Science 7-10: Earth and Space Science (ETM707) (2022 - current)
• Knowledge for Teaching Science 7-10: Biological Science (ETM705) (2021 - current)
• Science Knowledge and Practice (ESS102) (2021 - current)
• Environmental Education (ESS441) (2014 – 2020)
• Environmental Education (ESS741) (2014 – current)
• Senior Biology Curriculum Studies (ESS467) (2014 – 2020)
• Senior Biology Curriculum Studies (ESS767) (2014 – current)
• Science and Environmental Issues (ESS349) (2016 – 2020)
• Research Paper and Minor Thesis units (EDX703/4/5/6) (2014 - current) – see student completions
• Sustainability, Inquiry & Action – a Humanities Perspective (EEO301) (2019)
• Supporting and Leading Development of Communities of STEM practice (ETM704) (2018)
• Senior Environmental Science (ESS442/742) (2017)
• Primary Science EES345 (2014 - 2015)
• Primary Technology Education: Creativity and Design EST400 (2014)
• Research Methodology in Education (EXR791/EDX702) (2014 – 2017)

Edith Cowan University

• Positive Learning Environments EDU 2260 (2013)
• Practical PPA 2360 (2013)
• Classroom Management EDU 4222 (2013)
• Primary Science (Post Graduate) SCE 4103 (2013)

Southern Cross University

• Environmental Education - online EDU 01286 (2013)

Curtin University

• Curriculum Design - Society and Environment (2003)
• Introduction to Teaching - online EDP 120 (2013)
• Integrated Learning - online EDP 410 (2013)

Nunavut Arctic College

• Assessment and Evaluation 215 (2012)

Royal Roads University

• Development of Environmental Understandings (2010, 2011)

University of Regina

• Elementary Science Methods 215 (2006)
• Environmental Education 302 (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
• Post-Intern Participatory Research in Science Education  401 (2008)
• Assessment and Evaluation 410 (2012)
• Pedagogy - Theory and Practice 350 (2012)
• Field Supervision of Practicum (2005 - 2012)

University of Regina - Extension (Seniors Education)

• Sustainable Living (2009)

Editor-In-Chief for the Australian Journal of Environmental Education (AJEE)

Reviewer for academic journals

• Journal of Environmental Education (JEE)
• Australian Journal of Teacher Education (AJTE)
• Environmental Education Research (EER)
• Applied Environmental Education and Communication (AEEC) 
• Studying Teacher Education
• The Australian Educational Researcher (AER)
• In Education (University of Regina)

Judge for Awards

• ResourceSmart School Awards (2019, 2020, 2022, 2023)

Service to the University

• Course Director – Graduate Certificate of Secondary Science (2020 – current)
• Course Director – Bachelor of Science/Master of Teaching (D304) (2016 – 2020)
• Faculty Academic Progress Disciplinary Committee (2016 – 2018)
• Human Ethics Advisory Group (HEAG) Reviewer – Deakin University (2014 – 2018)
• Master of Teaching Research Pathway Coordinator – Deakin University (2015 – 2017)

Coordination of Special Events

• Science Week – Family Games Nights – Deakin University
• Contemporary Approaches to Research (CAR) Symposium – Deakin University