Get in touch to learn more about the Innovating Teacher Education group, such as how you can work with us.
Innovating Teacher Education
Exploring teacher education policy and practice
How our research drives educational reform
Teacher workforce shortages have led to a proliferation of ‘innovations’ to boost the supply of graduate teachers to the workforce. We recognise that there is an urgent need for evidence-based research that informs the design of teacher education. Through our research, we evaluate the consequences and implications that impact the preparation and supply of teachers.
Our research draws on mixed methods, including novel and innovative theoretical positions, to address overarching research questions relevant to teacher education policy and practice issues. We prioritise the co-production of research informed partnerships and alliances across early childhood, school and higher education.
Our research areas
The Innovating Teacher Education group has six overarching research streams that frame our research.
Curriculum design and innovative pedagogies in teacher education
Exploration of the factors that enable and constrain curriculum and pedagogy in teacher education, and evaluation of their impacts on graduate outcomes.
Accountability and assessment in teacher preparation
Research that examines the quality of assessment and moderation practices, including teacher performance assessment.
Graduate capabilities, practices and teacher wellbeing
Research that examines how the conditions and experiences of teacher education support graduate capabilities, practices and wellbeing and how this might influence graduate teacher retention.
Teaching for, and as, socially-just practice
Examination of the innovations in the design, delivery and assessment of teacher education that enable or constrain the preparation of quality, socially-just teachers.
Policy and reform impact
The impact of policy and reforms that shape quality and supply in the teaching workforce.
Partnerships and alliances
Exploration of the partnerships and alliances that are key for effective teacher education.
Help us reform teacher education
Undertaking a PhD at Deakin is an opportunity to make change under the mentorship of renowned researchers.
Our researchers
The Innovating Teacher Education team delivers original projects for all tiers of education under the leadership of:
Professor Amanda Mooney is the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) in the Faculty of Arts and Education. Her research interests are underpinned by a strong commitment to social justice and the role that education can play in furthering this pursuit.
Dr Dylan Scanlon is a teacher educator/lecturer in health and physical education in the School of Education. His research interests revolve around social justice pedagogies, teaching personal and social responsibility in teacher education, and self-study methodologies.
- Melissa Adam, Lecturer in Early Childhood Education, Education-focused
- Dr Garry Argent, Lecturer in Education
- Associate Professor Glenn Auld, Associate Professor in Education
- Professor Damian Blake, Head of School
- Jane Boyle, Lecturer in Education (Brain and Learning)
- Associate Professor Trent Brown, Associate Professor
- Dr Rose Buchanek, Lecturer in Education
- Dr Katherine Bussey, Lecturer in Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment
- Kate Chealuck, Lecturer in Education
- Dr Jessica Ciuciu, Lecturer in Early Childhood Education
- Dr Mandy Cooke, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education
- Katie Dow, Associate Lecturer
- Dr Nicole Downes, Lecturer in Education (Early Childhood)
- Edwina El Hachem, Lecturer in Education (Pedagogy and Curriculum)
- Juliet Erekson, Lecturer
- Dr Rachel Foster, Associate Research Fellow
- Dr Brandi Fox, Lecturer
- Dr Judith Gomes, Lecturer, Early Childhood Education
- Dr Joanne Henriksen, Senior Lecturer
- Associate Professor Brendan Hyde, Associate Professor
- Dr Cassandra Iannucci, Director, Student Outcomes
- Dr Luke James, Lecturer, Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies
- Dr Kate Johnstone, Senior Lecturer
- Will King, Lecturer in Education, Education-focused
- Dr Lynette Longaretti, Senior Lecturer In Education (Pedagogy and Curriculum)
- Dr Kellie McGlynn, Senior Lecturer
- Professor Amanda Mooney, Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning
- Kate Moncrieff, Lecturer in Education (Health and Physical Education)
- Dr Maria Nicholas, Senior Lecturer in Education (Language and Literacy Education)
- Dr Sarah Ohi, Senior Lecturer in Education (Language and Literacy Education)
- Dr Ceridwen Owen, Lecturer
- Dr Jacqui Peters, Senior Lecturer
- Dr Fiona Phillips, Lecturer in Education (Arts Education)
- Associate Professor Natalie Robertson, Associate Head of School, Teaching and Learning
- Dr Dylan Scanlon, Senior Lecturer, Health and Physical Education
- Associate Professor Cassandra Seery, Associate Director, Teaching & Learning, Community Based Delivery (CBD)
- Associate Professor Matthew Thomas, Deputy Head of School
- Dr Cameron Van der Smee, Lecturer, Health and Physical Education
- Helen Weston, Lecturer in Education, Education-focused
Featured projects
Our partnerships with government, community and industry allow us to deliver research with impact. We lead bold initiatives that seek solutions beyond traditional research and organisational boundaries.
Improving mentoring in teacher education
This project aimed to improve mentoring in schools across the state of Victoria in a multi-stage approach. Over 130 primary and secondary schools in Warrnambool, Melbourne, Geelong and Horsham/Wimmera regions were involved and over 9000 teachers shifted to Deakin mentoring practices through the research project.
Innovative initial teacher education
This project evaluated the outcomes of Victorian Government-funded innovative initial teacher education programs delivering a workplace-based pathway for mid-career entrants to become early childhood and applied secondary teachers. Through our research, we assessed if these programs were able to increase supply to workforce shortages in early childhood and applied secondary education.
Our Partners
To ensure our work is relevant to teacher education and the teaching workforce at large, we partner with several organisations, including the Department of Education, the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) and the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). We also work with early childhood organisations, and schools across education tiers through our projects.
Our publications
Take an in-depth look at our latest research, available in a variety of formats and publications. For a full list of publications visit the profile pages of our researchers.
Latest publications:
- Addressing preservice teacher's reasons for mathematics and test anxiety, Zara Ersozlu, Damian Blake, Muhammet Usak and Stuart Hawken
- Back to day one: the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on the return to kindergarten in Australia,Katherine Bussey, Natalie Robertson and Deborah Moore
Featured publications:
- Ontological assessment decisions in teaching and learning, B Whitburn and M Thomas
