Professor Wayne Sawyer
DIRECTOR RESEARCH, SCHOOL OF EDUCATION,
School Research (SoE)
PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION,
Centre for Educational Research (SoE)
Personal
Qualifications
- MA University of Sydney
- MEd University of Sydney
- DipEd University of Sydney
- BA University of Sydney
- PhD University of Western Sydney
UWS Organisational Unit (School / Division)
- School Research (SoE)
- Centre for Educational Research (SoE)
Contact
| Email: | W.Sawyer@uws.edu.au |
|---|---|
| Extension: | 2795 |
| Mobile: | |
| Location: | K.2.27 Penrith (Kingswood) |
| Website: |
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Biography
Wayne Sawyer is the Director of Research in the School of Education. His research interests include: secondary English education; curriculum history in English; effective teaching, especially in low SES contexts, and literacy policy. Professor Sawyer is an experienced case study researcher. As part of larger teams, he has carried out case study-based projects on effective teaching in the NSW HSC, effective teaching in Years 7-10, effective teaching in relation to boys’ education and the engagement of students from low SES backgrounds. He is a former President of the NSW English Teachers’ Association, a former editor of the journal, English in Australia and a former Chair of the NSW Board of Studies English Curriculum Committee. He has produced research reports for the NSW Board of Studies and the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (co-authored) on major reviews of English curriculum in those states. He has edited or authored 30 books, mostly on English teaching for audiences of school teachers and academics.Professor Sawyer’s current funded research projects are: Evaluation of the Impact of Selected Reforms of the ‘Improving Teacher Quality’ National Partnership (with partners from UNE and ACU and funded by the NSW Department of Education and Communities and the Smarter Schools National Partnerships Evaluation Committee); Evaluating an Action Research Model of Engagement in Schools in Greater Western Sydney(with Assoc Prof Geoff Munns and Dr Catherine Attard). His most recent books include:Munns, G., Sawyer, W. Cole, B. & Fair Go Team ( 2013) Exemplary Teachers of Students in Poverty. Routledge; Doecke, B., Parr, G. & Sawyer, W. (eds.) (2011) Creating an Australian Curriculum for English: National Agendas, Local Contexts, Phoenix Education; Manuel, J., Brock, P., Carter, D. & Sawyer, W. (eds) (2009), Imagination, Innovation, Creativity: Re-visioning English in Education.Phoenix Education; Gannon, S., Howie, M. & Sawyer, W. (eds) (2009). Charged with Meaning, Phoenix Education. His awards include: Australian Professional Teacher Associations Award for Meritorious Contribution to the Profession; Australian Learning and Teaching Council Award for Teaching Excellence in the Social Sciences; Honorary Life Member, NSW English Teachers’ Association; Honorary Life Member, Australian Association for the Teaching of English; NSW Professional Teachers’ Council Award for Outstanding Service to Professional Associations; NSW Institute of Educational Research Award for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis; NSW Minister for Education and Training and Australian College of Education Quality Teaching Award for University Teaching.
This information has been contributed by Professor Sawyer.
Publications
Books
- Sawyer, W., Brock, P. and Baxter, D. (2007), 'Exceptional outcomes in ESL/literacy education: Findings from AESOP', : Post Pressed 9781921214127.
- Sawyer, W., Baxter, D. and Brock, P. (2007), 'Exceptional outcomes in English education: Findings from AESOP', : Post Pressed 9781921214097.
- Belanger, J. and Sawyer, W. (2006), 'Investigating Language', : Phoenix Education 1876580836.
- Sawyer, W. (2006), 'Shakespeare's world : Teacher Resource Book', : Phoenix Education 1921085126.
Chapters in Books
- Sawyer, W., Munns, G. and Zammit, K. (2013), 'What exemplary teachers do', Exemplary Teachers of Students in Poverty: The Fair Go Team, Routledge 9780415531566.
- Orlando, J. and Sawyer, W. (2013), 'A fair go in education ', Exemplary Teachers of Students in Poverty, Routledge 9780415531566.
- Munns, G. and Sawyer, W. (2013), 'Student engagement : the research methodology and the theory', Exemplary Teachers of Students in Poverty, Routledge 9780415531566.
- Arthur, L., Orlando, J., Power, A., Sawyer, W., Vozzo, L., Zammit, K., Cole, B., Gilbert, S., Mooney, M., Munns, G. and Nanlohy, P. (2013), 'A new Monday morning and beyond', Exemplary Teachers of Students in Poverty, Routledge 9780415531566.
- Munns, G., Arthur, L., Hertzberg, M., Sawyer, W. and Zammit, K. (2012), 'A fair go for students in poverty: Australia', Changing Schools: Alternative ways to make a difference, Routledge 9780415558600.
- Sawyer, W. (2012), 'English in the national curriculum : what knowledge?', The Australian Curriculum : Observations of a Journey : a Critique of Phase 1 Learning Areas and General Capabilities, Australian Curriculum Studies Association 9781875864966.
- Munns, G., Arthur, L., Hertzberg, M., Sawyer, W. and Zammit, K. (2012), 'A fair go for students in poverty : Australia', Changing Schools: Alternative Ways to Make a World of Difference, Routledge 9780415558600.
- Sawyer, W. and Howie, M. (2011), 'Literature teaching in The Australian Curriculum: Retaining key pratices', Creating an Australian Curriculum for English:National agendas, local contexts, Phoenix Education 9781921586538.
- Sawyer, W. (2011), 'Grammar, Standard Australian English and the Australian Curriculum: English: What could principled implementation look like?', Creating an Australian Curriculum for English: National agendas, local contexts, Phoenix Education 9781921586538.
- Munns, G., Arthur, L., Hertzberg, M., Sawyer, W. and Zammit, K. (2011), 'A fair go for students in poverty', Changing Schools; alternative ways to make a world of difference, Routledge 9780415558594.
- Sawyer, W. (2010), 'English in Australia and New Zealand', The Routledge international handbook of English language and literacy teaching, Routledge 9780415469036.
- Gannon, S., Howie, M. and Sawyer, W. (2009), 'Charged with Meaning', Charged with Meaning: Reviewing English, Phoenix Education 9781921586187.
- Sawyer, W. (2009), 'The Growth Model of English', Charged with Meaning: Reviewing English, Phoenix Education 9781921586187.
- Sawyer, W. and Watson, K. (2009), 'Teaching Shakespeare today: An introduction', Charged with Meaning: Reviewing English, Phoenix Education 9781921586187.
- Sawyer, W. (2009), 'Applications - Further Classroom Resources: Poetry', Charged with Meaning: Reviewing English, Phoenix Education 9781921586187.
- Sawyer, W. (2009), 'Applications: Shakespeare', Charged with Meaning: Reviewing English, Phoenix Education 9781921586187.
- Sawyer, W. (2009), 'Further Applications: Writing', Charged with Meaning: Reviewing English, Phoenix Education 9781921586187.
- Manuel, J., Brock, P., Sawyer, W. and Carter, D. (2009), ''What is within becomes what is around': Imagination, Innovation, Creativity', Imagination, Innovation, Creativity: Re-Visioning English in Education, Phoenix Education 9781921586194.
- Sawyer, W. (2009), 'Language and literature: Revisiting some defining moments in the history of English', Imagination, Innovation, Creativity: Re-Visioning English in Education, Phoenix Education 9781921586194.
- Sawyer, W. (2009), 'Knowledge about language' and grammar', Charged with Meaning: Reviewing English, Phoenix Education 9781921586187.
- Doecke, B., Howie, M. and Sawyer, W. (2006), 'The Present Moment', Only connect : English teaching, schooling and community, Wakefield Press 1862546983.
- Doecke, B., Howie, M. and Sawyer, W. (2006), 'Starting Points', Only connect : English teaching, schooling and community, Wakefield Press 1862546983.
- Sawyer, W. (2006), 'Just add 'Progressivism' and Stir: How We Cook Up Literacy Crises in Australia', Only connect : English teaching, schooling and community, Wakefield Press 1862546983.
- Sawyer, W. (2005), 'Becoming a new new critic', Writing=learning, AATE and Wakefield Press 1862916770.
- Sawyer, W. (2004), 'Seminal books on English teaching', Reviewing English in the 21st Century, Phoenix Education 1876580410.
- Sawyer, W. (2004), 'Writing practices', Reviewing English in the 21st Century, Phoenix Education 1876580410.
- Thomson, J., Sawyer, W., Mitchell, D., Watson, K. and Gold, E. (2004), 'Literature practices: Approaches to Poetry', Reviewing English in the 21st Century, Phoenix Press 1876580410.
- Sawyer, W. and Watson, K. (2004), 'The revolution in the teaching of Shakespeare', Reviewing English in the 21st Century, Phoenix Education 1876580410.
- Sawyer, W., Watson, K., Sharpe, T. and Thompson, J. (2004), 'Language in schools - some questions and answers', Reviewing English in the 21st Century, Phoenix Education 1876580410.
- Sawyer, W. (2003), 'Seven Up', Big screen, small sceen, St Clair Press 1876757108.
Journal Articles
- Sawyer, W. (2010), 'Structuring the new English in Australia:James Moffett and English teaching in New South Wales', Changing English:Studies in culture and education, 12.
- Green, B., Sawyer, W. and Burgess, T. (2010), 'Re-Reading James Moffett', Changing English: Studies in culture and education, 4.
- Sawyer, W. (2010), 'English in the national curriculum: What knowledge?', Curriculum perspectives, 3.
- Sawyer, W. (2010), 'Writing (in) the nation', English in Australia, 14.
- Arthur, L. and Sawyer, W. (2009), 'Robust hope, democracy and early childhood education', Early Years. An International Journal of Research and Development, 13.
- Sawyer, W., Singh, M. and Zhao, D. (2009), 'Boys' literacy: Negotiating the Territory', English in Australia, 10.
- Singh, M. and Sawyer, W. (2008), 'Democracy and robust hope: Queensland's education and training reforms for the future', Education, Citizenship and Social Justice, 15.
- Sawyer, W. (2008), 'English teaching in New South Wales since 1971: Versions of Growth', Changing English, 15.
- Sawyer, W. (2008), 'The National Curriculum and enabling creativity', English in Australia, 11.
- Sawyer, W. (2007), 'New/Small news in the English curriculum', English in Australia, 12.
- Sawyer, W. (2007), 'The powerfully literate citizen', English in Australia, 4.
- Gannon, S. and Sawyer, W. (2007), ''Whole language' and moral panic in Australia', International journal of progressive education, 22.
- Sawyer, W. (2007), 'English as mother-tongue in Australia', L1 Educational studies in language and literature, 20.
- Doecke, B., Green, B., Kostogriz, A., Reid, J. and Sawyer, W. (2007), 'Knowing practice in English teaching? Research challenges in representing the professional practice of English teachers', English Teaching: Practice and Critique, 18.
- Sawyer, W. and Van De Ven, P. (2007), 'Starting points: Paradigms in mother-tongue education', L1 Educational studies in language and literature, 16.
- Doecke, B., Howie, M. and Sawyer, W. (2007), 'Keywords', English in Australia, 15.
- Sawyer, W., Singh, M., Woodrow, C., Downes, T., Johnston, C. and Whitton, D. (2007), 'Robust Hope and Teacher Education Policy', Asia Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 16.
- Baxter, D. and Sawyer, W. (2006), 'Whole school literacy sucess against the odds', Literacy learning : The middle years, 9.
- Sawyer, W. (2006), 'The condition of music : The aesthetic turn in english', English in Australia, 8.
- Doecke, B., Howie, M. and Sawyer, W. (2006), 'Keywords in Australian context', English Teaching: Practice and Critique, 24.
- Sawyer, W. (2005), 'English and literacy: a more open marriage or time for a divorce', Literacy learning: the middle years, 9.
- Ayres, P., Sawyer, W. and Dinham, S. (2004), 'Effective teaching in the context of a Grade 12 hihg stakes external examination in New South Wales, Australia', British educational research journal, 24.
- Dinham, S. and Sawyer, W. (2004), 'Mobility and highly effective teachers: revisiting beliefs about 'over-stayers'', Pedagogies, policies and politics of mobility: Melbourne studies in education, 15.
- Sawyer, W. (2004), 'English in Australia: Complying or disappearing', English teaching: practice and critique, .
- Sawyer, W. (2003), 'Pragmatics and and articulation: a case study of (r)evolving secondary education', Change: transformations in education, 6.
- Sawyer, W. (2002), 'The States of English in Australia', English Teaching: practice and critique, .
- Sawyer, W. and Watson, K. (2001), 'Mother-Tongue teaching in Australia: The case of New South Wales', L1: Educational Studies in language and Literature, 18.
- Sawyer, W., Ayres, P. and Dinham, S. (2001), 'What does an effective Year 12 Teacher look like', English in Australia, 13.
Research
Current Projects
| Title: | Implementing, Documenting and Evaluating an Action Research Model of Engagement in Schools in Greater Western Sydney |
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| Years: | 2012-08-01 - 2014-12-31 |
| ID: | P00021075 |
| UWS Researchers: | Geoff Munns, Wayne Sawyer and Catherine Attard |
| Funding: |
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| Title: | Evaluation of the Impact of Professional Experience Reform Measures [via Uni of New England] |
| Years: | 2012-03-28 - 2014-06-30 |
| ID: | P00020480 |
| UWS Researchers: | Wayne Sawyer |
| Funding: |
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Previous Projects
| Title: | Identifying and Analysing Process in Schooling Producing Outstanding Educational Outcomes [via University of New England] |
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| Years: | 2001-01-01 - 2003-12-31 |
| ID: | P0009540 |
| UWS Researchers: | Wayne Sawyer and Stephen Dinham |
| Funding: |
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| Title: | English Stage 4-5 LIterature Project Brief |
| Years: | 2001-05-02 - 2001-12-30 |
| ID: | P0010824 |
| UWS Researchers: | Wayne Sawyer |
| Funding: |
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| Title: | Review of the Inner West Regional Office |
| Years: | 2000-06-13 - 2000-10-31 |
| ID: | P0012376 |
| UWS Researchers: | Wayne Sawyer and Stephen Dinham |
| Funding: |
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| Title: | The provision of research on teacher secondments and placements to university education faculties |
| Years: | 2006-06-16 - 2006-10-30 |
| ID: | P0015148 |
| UWS Researchers: | Wayne Sawyer, Kevin Watson, Debra Costley and Susanne Gannon |
| Funding: |
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| Title: | Evaluation study of the impact of professional learning on teacher capacity in implementing curriculum planning and assessment frameworks (COGS) |
| Years: | 2007-08-31 - 2009-08-31 |
| ID: | P0015840 |
| UWS Researchers: | Debra Costley, Christine Johnston and Wayne Sawyer |
| Funding: |
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| Title: | The identification of successful teaching methodologies in the NSW Higher School Certificate |
| Years: | 1997-07-16 - 2000-12-31 |
| ID: | P0013384 |
| UWS Researchers: | Stephen Dinham, Wayne Sawyer and Paul Ayres |
| Funding: |
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| Title: | Teachers For a Fair Go: A study of teachers who 'make a difference' to students in poverty |
| Years: | 2008-02-29 - 2012-11-30 |
| ID: | P0015674 |
| UWS Researchers: | Geoff Munns and Wayne Sawyer |
| Funding: |
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| Title: | Engaging Middle Years Boys in Rural Educational Settings |
| Years: | 2007-09-01 - 2008-12-01 |
| ID: | P0015810 |
| UWS Researchers: | Geoff Munns, Wayne Sawyer, Bronwyn Cole, Mary Mooney, Anne Power and Katina Zammit |
| Funding: |
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| Title: | School and University Partnerships to Enhance Student Outcomes: Developing a model of sustainable professional learning |
| Years: | 2006-06-20 - 2007-12-31 |
| ID: | P0015132 |
| UWS Researchers: | Kevin Watson, Wayne Sawyer, Beth Southwell and Allan Morton |
| Funding: |
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| Title: | The Uses of the Bologna Process in the Internationalisation of Universities: A Comparative Study of Developments in Higher Education Policy in Australia, China and Netherlands |
| Years: | 2006-12-20 - 2008-06-30 |
| ID: | P0015396 |
| UWS Researchers: | Michael Singh, Wayne Sawyer and Steve Wilson |
| Funding: |
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| Title: | Motivation and engagement of boys: Evidence-based teaching practices |
| Years: | 2005-01-01 - 2005-11-01 |
| ID: | P0014520 |
| UWS Researchers: | Toni Downes, Geoff Munns, Michael Singh, Wayne Sawyer, Robyn Gregson, Anne Power, Leonie Arthur, Shirley Gilbert, Judith Thistleton-Martin and Andrew Martin |
| Funding: |
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| Title: | The efficacy of IELTS in choosing potentially successful students for teacher education courses. What is an appropriate score? |
| Years: | 2008-06-24 - 2010-03-23 |
| ID: | P0015775 |
| UWS Researchers: | Michael Singh and Wayne Sawyer |
| Funding: |
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| Title: | Researching the teaching of scholarly argumentation in higher education with special reference to the NESB student |
| Years: | 2009-07-14 - 2011-10-31 |
| ID: | P00017112 |
| UWS Researchers: | Michael Singh and Wayne Sawyer |
| Funding: |
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Supervision
Professor Sawyer is available to be a principal supervisor for doctoral projects
Current Supervision
| Title: | Transnational Students and the Translation of International Education |
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| Field of Research: |
