Centre for Research for Educational Impact
Education research that supports socially just, inclusive and equitable societies
Delivering educational research with impact
Deakin’s Centre for Research for Educational Impact (REDI) is a connected, collaborative and vibrant strategic research and innovation centre that delivers and translates high quality research into outcomes that are relevant and meaningful to our communities.
Our history
Since it was established in 2016, REDI has become a critical centre of educational ideas and innovation. Our research supports the development of effective and resilient education systems that ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
We produce exceptional educational research and training that has a far-reaching impact on communities. Our work positively impacts educational theory, policy, teacher practice and student learning.
We ask the big questions in education
At the Centre for Research for Educational Impact, we interrogate how education works in our communities.
Our research areas
REDI is known for its critical research and contribution to social change across education. Our research is focused around four interdisciplinary themes with a key goal being to ensure that our knowledge is translated into practice.
Diversity and social justice in education
Educating for diversity and social justice is a key public goal of education. This research theme takes a critical and transformative approach to this goal that recognises the complex and growing economic, cultural, digital, spatial and political inequalities within and beyond Australia.
Education, governance and policy for sustainable societies
Education is key to secure, just and sustainable societies. Research in this program aims to investigate higher education, vocational education, schools and early childhood as well as informal education and workplace settings to understand the impacts of policies, governance practices and reform efforts at global, national, regional and institutional levels.
Learners in a digital world
This theme acknowledges that learning occurs across complex formal and informal contexts. It is concerned with exploring the diverse effects of digitalisation on everyday life, identity, education systems and the broader organisation of civic and political society.
STEM education for sustainable futures
This theme acknowledges the critical role of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in educating for sustainable, equitable environmental, societal and work futures.
Help us create a more equitable society
Study a PhD or research degree with RED and access a vibrant, supportive and collaborative research environment. We have more than 30 supervisors you can work with who are all renowned experts in their field.
Our research supports the development of effective and resilient education systems that ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Director, REDI
Our research leaders
REDI brings together more than 50 researchers working on research programs from early childhood through to higher education, informal education and the workplace. The leaders of our four interdisciplinary research themes provide leadership, program planning, collegiate support and mentoring to members of these groupings.
Deakin Distinguished Professor Julianne Moss is the director of REDI and a professor of education at Deakin University. Her research program is developed from questions of equity, participation and agency and shows sustained links to schools, school systems and the professional work of early career teachers.
Professor Louise Paatsch is the deputy director of REDI and a professor of education at Deakin University. Her research focuses on children's and young people's communication, language, digital play, pretend play and literacy development, with a strong focus on metapragmatic and pragmatic language use and the link to social communication.
Featured projects
Our research focuses on a wide range of professional, policy and practise issues that are both in and out of school systems. Discover the wide variety of research projects being undertaken by the team.
Side-hustles research project
The 'Side-hustles: Young People and Employment-Adjacent Entrepreneurship' project investigates how Gen Z Australians engage in 'side-hustles'. Through a three-year longitudinal study combining surveys and interviews, the findings aim to inform policies supporting youth entrepreneurship and address labour market inequalities.
Youth Conversations research project
Youth Conversations 2.0 aims to amplify youth voices across Victoria's Great South Coast. Taking insights from up to 2,000 participants aged between 12 and 19, the project explores topics like education, employment and community engagement, providing valuable data to inform local youth services and policy development.
Our partnerships
We have worked with government, early childhood centres, schools, industry and not-for-profit and philanthropic organisations across multiple sectors in socially, culturally and ethnically diverse sites. Some of our partners include:
- Aarhus University
- Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory
- Anthony Costa Foundation
- Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety Limited
- Australian Research Council
- Aurora School
- Beyond The Bell
- Collaboration of Humanities and Social Sciences in Europe
- Cottage by the Sea
- eSafety Commissioner
- Fulbright Australia
- Irish Primary Principals' Network
- National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals
- National Taiwan Normal University
- Tasmanian Government
- Telematics
- The Invergowrie Foundation
- Victorian Department of Education
- Wallace Foundation
Contact us
Stay in touch with us to hear about the latest alumni opportunities, research news and much more. Have a question? Get in touch with the team.
