Transdisciplinary research for educational change

As contemporary learning continuously changes, the Transforming Curriculum, Assessment and Pedagogy group considers how curriculum, assessment and pedagogy can evolve with it. We engage with diverse voices, knowledges and perspectives to participate critically and creatively in education policy and practice.

Our research is undertaken across diverse settings, such as early childhood, primary, secondary and vocational education and training, higher education and community. Disciplinary and transdisciplinary perspectives inform our approach, contributing to national and transnational debates to create resilient and inclusive education systems.

Our research areas

Deakin is an active contributor to global education research and theory. We're among the top 1% for arts and humanities research globally as well as #2 in Australia for education and education research.* Led by our group convenors, the Transforming Curriculum, Assessment and Pedagogy group has two research streams:

Transforming curriculum and knowledge practices

We consider diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives to critically examine and challenge curriculum and knowledge practices. We generate new understandings of complex issues using further curriculum inquiry.

Innovating teacher practice in curriculum, assessment and pedagogy

We collaborate with teachers to investigate and co-develop new strategies to innovate curriculum, assess student learning and engage with effective pedagogy.

Impact curriculum policy and classroom practice

When you study a PhD or postdoctoral research with the Transforming Curriculum, Assessment and Pedagogy group, you'll be supported by renowned researchers.

Explore our research degrees

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.

Navigating the curriculum resource marketplace

Navigating the curriculum resource marketplace

In response to the increased digitisation of learning and teaching, growing workload pressures and calls for ‘high quality’ curriculum resources, this project seeks to map Australia’s rapidly expanding curriculum resource marketplace and develop a quality framework to support stakeholders as they navigate this space. Chief investigators include Dr Rebecca Cairns, Associate Professor Michiko Weinmann, Dr Lucinda McKnight and Dr John Cripps Clark.

Student perspectives on studying history

Student perspectives on studying history

The project, led by Dr Kerri Garrard and Dr Rebecca Cairns, asked secondary school students across Australia about their experiences with, and perspectives on, studying history at secondary school. Data from this national survey provides valuable insights into the complex factors that shape students’ subject selection choices and views on the relevance of studying history.

Our researchers

Steered by our group convenors, our members span from early to mid and senior career researchers. They bring a range of disciplinary expertise based on decades of combined experience.

Dr Maria Nicholas has an interest in students' learning and education in pre-school, primary and secondary school settings, including high-ability and gifted teaching and learning, most especially as it relates to students' literacy development.

Dr Rebecca Cairns is a senior lecturer in humanities education in the School of Education. Her research investigates how contemporary and historical socio-political conditions shape curriculum.

Research team

Robyn Barallon, Learning Designer

Dr Robin Bellingham, Senior Lecturer, Education (Pedagogy and Curriculum)

Dr Ros Black, Senior Lecturer, Education (Humanities, Societies And Environments)

Dr Rebecca Cairns, Senior Lecturer in Education, Humanities

Dr John Cripps Clark, Lecturer In Education (Science Education)

Dr Kerri Garrard, Lecturer in Education (Humanities, Societies and Environments)

Dr Karen Guo, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education

Dr Shelley Hannigan, Senior Lecturer, Education (Arts Education)

Penny Harry, Lecturer in Education

Associate Professor Dawn Joseph, Associate Professor of Education (Arts Education)

Dr Arif Kabir, Teaching Scholar, Curriculum, Pedagogy and Professional Learning

Dr Merida Kelly, Lecturer in Education (Arts Education)

Will King, Site Director, Warrnambool Alliance (Teaching Scholar)

Dr Elizabeth Little, Lecturer in Education (Language and Literacy)

Dr Genee Marks, Lecturer, Education (Inclusive Education)

Dr Lucinda McKnight, ARC DECRA Fellow

Dr Fiona Phillips, Lecturer in Education (Arts Education)

Associate Professor Michiko Weinmann, Associate Professor in Education (Languages Education)

Our partnerships

The Transforming Curriculum, Assessment and Pedagogy group engages the voices of diverse policy actors and fosters partnerships between government, the teaching profession and academia. Our industry and government partners include:

  • curriculum and assessment authorities
  • Departments of Education
  • government and non-government schools
  • other educational and community organisations.

Our members contribute to public debate through research publications, media articles and commentary, as well as invited presentations. We engage directly with education stakeholders to develop assessment, curriculum and pedagogy materials.

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:

Featured publications:

Contact us

Visit the TCAP blog to read more about our work. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you learn more about the Transforming Curriculum, Assessment and Pedagogy group.

Dr Maria Nicholas
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Dr Rebecca Cairns
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