Centre for Educational Research

Welcome
Message from the Director

Welcome to the Centre for Educational Research (CER), a flagship research centre of the University of Western Sydney, located in the College of Arts.

CER addresses the educational challenges of the twenty-first century. The interconnectedness between individuals, the social world and education is central to CER’s research agenda but rapid social, cultural and technological changes have placed new demands on individuals and traditional social domains such as the family, health, welfare and educational institutions.

CER addresses these demands by interrogating and analysing the processes that shape the lives of individuals, communities and social worlds, and the implementation and experience of education. CER’s goal is to generate new knowledge, theories and innovative educational and policy solutions that will enhance educational quality, generate social opportunities, and build ethical and sustainable knowledge-based societies for the future.

Researchers in CER are social scientists who are experts in psychology, policy, curriculum, pedagogy, sociology, cultural studies, health and Indigenous studies. Cross-disciplinary collaboration is central to CER’s agenda. CER researchers also work closely with government and non-government agencies and industry partners, often on highly competitive Australian Research Council grants.

CER provides a rich, intellectual centre for eminent researchers, scholars and exchange students from Australia and overseas. The Centre has a proud history of providing world-class post-graduate research education. CER has a large community of research students enrolled in Masters, PhD, and EdD degrees, and provides a vibrant academic and social culture for research students. All students are supported by a panel of senior academics and scholars, several of whom have received prestigious university and Carrick Institute awards for excellence in research supervision.

I am delighted to welcome you to CER and encourage you to contact us to find out more about our research and research education programs.

Professor Christine Halse
Director

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Areas of Expertise

1. Politics and Policy

Research in this strand analyses and evaluates social and educational policy, particularly the impact of policy and politics on the organisation of education, teaching practices, learning and educational outcomes. Researchers in this strand interrogate the implications of social and education policy and politics for capacity building, educational improvement and enhancing individual and community well-being.

2. Individuals, Families and Communities and their Social and Cultural Contexts

Research in this strand focuses on describing and analysing the elements that shape the lives and life opportunities of individuals and communities and how these intersect with formal and non-formal education, particularly amongst marginalised social groups. Researchers examine the social, psychological, historical and cultural factors that shape the lives of individuals and groups, and the influence of social, economic and political pressures such as immigration and globalisation on individuals and groups, and their engagement and experience of education.

3. Learning, Pedagogy and Practice

Research in this strand examines how formal education can engage learners to reach their full potential. This strand is particularly concerned with the effects of pedagogy, institutional cultures and practices, and their relationship to the other research strands.

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Location

The Centre for Educational Research is located on the Bankstown campus of the University of Western Sydney.

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