Professor Michele Simons

Professor Michele Simons

Dean, School of Education,
Dean's Unit, School of Education

Professor,
Dean's Unit, School of Education

Biography

Professor Simons joins us from the University of South Australia where she has been the Dean and Head of the School of Education. She has extensive experience in supporting learning in the fields of adult education, vocational education and workplace learning, and secondary teacher education programs. She brings a wealth of knowledge in the design and development of programs conducive to student learning at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

 

Professor Simons is a well-respected researcher, having won a number of nationally competitive grants from the Australian Research Council and the National Vocational Education and Training Research and Evaluation (NVETRE) Program. She is part of a team of researchers who won funding from the most recent round of ARC-Linkage Grants for a project examining the role that school principals play in retaining the best teachers.

This information has been contributed by Professor Simons.

Qualifications

  • PhD University of South Australia
  • BSocSc University of South Australia

Organisational Unit (School / Division)

  • Dean's Unit, School of Education
  • Dean's Unit, School of Education

Contact

Email: michele.simons@westernsydney.edu.au
Phone: (02) 47360 322
Mobile: 0403135357
Location: J.1.16
Penrith (Kingswood)

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Publications

Books

  • Sullivan, A., Johnson, B. and Simons, M. (2019), 'Attracting and Keeping the Best Teachers: Issues and Opportunities', : Springer 9789811386206.

Chapters in Books

  • Johnson, B., Sullivan, A., Simons, M. and Peters, J. (2019), 'How school leaders attract, recruit, develop and retain the early career teachers they want : positives and paradoxes', Attracting and Keeping the Best Teachers: Issues and Opportunities, Springer 9789811386206.
  • Simons, M. (2014), 'Evaluation in workforce development', Workforce Development: Perspectives and Issues, Springer 9789814560573.
  • Simons, M. and Yaringa, A. (2014), 'Assessment in the VET sector', Teaching in the VET Sector in Australia, David Barlow Publishing 9781921333613.
  • Simons, M. and Harris, R. (2014), 'To engage or not to engage : what can the national VET system offer enterprises?', Workforce Development: Strategies and Practices, Springer 9789812870674.
  • Simons, M. (2013), 'The future of the tertiary sector workforce : a kaleidoscope of possibilities?', Structures in Tertiary Education and Training: a Kaleidoscope or Merely Fragments?: Research Readings, NCVER 9781922056504.
  • Simons, M. and Harris, R. (2009), 'Workplace trainers in enterprises : merging and emerging areas of practice', International Perspectives on Competence in the Workplace: Implications for Research, Policy and Practice, Springer 9781402087530.
  • Guthrie, H., Harris, R., Simons, M. and Karmel, T. (2009), 'Teaching for technical and vocational education and training (TVET)', International Handbook of Research on Teachers and Teaching, Springer 9780387733166.
  • Harris, R. and Simons, M. (2008), 'Becoming one of them : the experience of institution-based educators providing training in companies in Australia', Communities of Practice: Creating Learning Environments for Educators. Vol. 1, Information Age 9781593118631.
  • Harris, R. and Simons, M. (2004), 'Adult and vocational educators : their changing work and professional development', Adult Education @ 21st Century, Peter Lang 9780820461106.

Journal Articles

  • Reupert, A., Sullivan, A., Tippett, N., White, S., Woodcock, S., Chen, L. and Simons, M. (2023), 'An exploration of the experiences of substitute teachers : a systematic review', Review of Educational Research, vol 93, no 6 , pp 901 - 941.
  • Sullivan, A., Johnson, B., Simons, M. and Tippett, N. (2021), 'When performativity meets agency : how early career teachers struggle to reconcile competing agendas to become 'quality' teachers', Teachers and Teaching, vol 27, no 5 , pp 388 - 403.
  • Hodge, S., Atkins, L. and Simons, M. (2016), 'Towards an epistemically neutral curriculum model for vocational education : from competencies to threshold concepts and practices', International Journal of Training Research, vol 14, no 3 , pp 230 - 243.
  • Walters, M., Simon, L., Simons, M., Davids, J. and Harreveld, B. (2015), 'A case for scholarly activity in vocational education in Australia', Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, vol 5, no 1 , pp 14 - 31.
  • Hattam, R., Garrett, R. and Simons, M. (2015), 'Will this be just? Will we survive? The SACE Research Project', Curriculum Perspectives, vol 35, no 2 , pp 30 - 40.
  • Simons, M. and Harris, R. (2014), 'Educational leadership in Australian private VET organisations : how is it understood and enacted?', Research in Post-Compulsory Education, vol 19, no 3 , pp 245 - 260.
  • Simons, M. (2006), '(Re)-forming marriage in Australia? : relationship trends', Family Matters, vol 73 , pp 46 - 51.
  • Harris, R. and Simons, M. (2006), 'VET practitioners working with private enterprises : a "third space"?', Journal of Workplace Learning, vol 18, no 7-8 , pp 478 - 494.
  • Poell, R., Krogt, F., Vermulst, A., Harris, R. and Simons, M. (2006), 'Roles of informal workplace trainers in different organizational contexts : empirical evidence from Australian companies', Human Resource Development Quarterly, vol 17, no 2 , pp 175 - 198.
  • Halford, W. and Simons, M. (2005), 'Couple relationship education in Australia', Family Process, vol 44, no 2 , pp 147 - 159.
  • Harris, R. and Simons, M. (2005), 'Exploring the notion of retention in apprenticeship', Education and Training, vol 47, no 4-5 , pp 350 - 365.
  • Harris, R., Simons, M. and Carden, P. (2004), 'Peripheral journeys : learning and acceptance of probationary constables', Journal of Workplace Learning, vol 16, no 4 , pp 205 - 218.
  • Harris, R., Simons, M., Willis, P. and Carden, P. (2003), 'Exploring complementarity in on- and off-job training for apprenticeships', International Journal of Training and Development, vol 7, no 2 , pp 82 - 92.

Conference Papers

  • Harris, R. and Simons, M. (2013), 'Chameleon leaders? : the influence of context on leadership in Australian private providers', National Centre for Vocational Education Research (Australia). National Conference, Adelaide, S. Aust..
  • Simons, M. and Harris, R. (2008), 'General staff in VET contexts : what are their working lives like?', Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association. National Conference, Adelaide, S. Aust..
  • Harris, R. and Simons, M. (2007), 'Adult learning communities : researching registered providers of adult and community education in Australia', Standing Conference on University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults (Great Britain), Belfast, Northern Ireland.
  • Harris, R. and Simons, M. (2005), '"Playing the right tune in VET research" : using cognitive interviewing to improve our instruments', Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association. National Conference, Brisbane, Qld..
  • Harris, R. and Simons, M. (2005), '?I'm the meat in the sandwich? : exploring VET practitioners' ways of working with private enterprises', International Conference on Researching Work and Learning, Sydney, N.S.W..
  • Simons, M. (2005), 'Meeting the skill requirements of VET practitioners in new times', Australian Teacher Education Association. Conference, Gold Coast, Qld..
  • Simons, M. and Stehlik, T. (2004), 'Getting connected : professional development in online learning and flexible delivery for contract and casual VET staff', Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association. National Conference, Canberra, A.C.T..
  • Harris, R. and Simons, M. (2003), ''Out of sight, but not out of mind'! : reality of change in the daily working lives of VET practitioners', Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association. National Conference, Sydney, N.S.W..
  • Simons, M. and Harris, R. (2002), 'Changing visions - changing practices : the implementation of new approaches to learning and assessment using training packages', International Conference on Post-Compulsory Education and Training, Gold Coast, Qld..
  • Simons, M. and Harris, R. (2002), 'Building bridges between the researched and researchers : the use of reflective journals in vocational education research', Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association. National Conference, Melbourne, Vic..

Other Publications

  • 2021, 'Educational Pathways Pilot Program Final Evaluation Report', Report
  • 2020, 'From the Military to the Academy: Supporting Younger Military Veterans in Australian Higher Education', Report
  • 2012, 'Two Sides of the Same Coin: Leaders in Private Providers Juggling Educational and Business Imperatives', Report
  • 2009, 'New Directions in European Vocational Education and Training Policy and Practice: Lessons for Australia', Report
  • 2009, 'Careers in Vocational Education and Training: What are They Really Like?', Report
  • 2008, 'What Choice?: An Evaluation of Career Development Services for Young People', Report
  • 2007, 'Family Wellness Program Instructor Training: Evaluation Report', Report
  • 2006, 'The Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training: Understanding Learners and Learning', Report
  • 2006, 'Mix or Match?: New Apprentices' Learning Styles and Trainers' Preferences for Training in Workplaces', Report
  • 2006, 'Private Training Providers in Australia: Their Characteristics and Training Activities', Report
  • 2005, ''A Huge Learning Curve': TAFE Practitioners' Ways of Working With Private Enterprises', Report

Current Projects

Title: Early career teacher induction: Supporting precarious teachers [via University of South Australia]
Funder:
  • Australian Research Council (ACRG)
Western Researchers: Michele Simons
Years: 2023-01-02 - 2025-12-20
ID: P00027960
Title: Academic partner for Curriculum Implementation Professional Learning
Funder:
  • NSW Department of Education
Western Researchers: Erin Mackenzie, Kay Carroll, Kathryn Holmes, Michele Simons and Nathan Berger
Years: 2023-07-11 - 2025-09-26
ID: P00028953

Previous Projects

Title: Research Services and Report on Refreshing the Delivery of Trade Training at TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute
Funder:
  • TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute
Western Researchers: Michele Simons
Years: 2015-10-28 - 2016-04-18
ID: P00022893
Title: Keeping the best: How school leaders engage and retain high quality early career teachers [via UniSA]
Funder:
  • Australian Research Council (ACRG)
Western Researchers: Michele Simons
Years: 2013-09-06 - 2018-10-27
ID: P00021789

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