Personal profile

Biography

Parr's work in the Faculty of Education includes:

  • Professor in English and International Education
  • researcher in the fields of English education, teacher professional learning, professional experience, narrative, creativity, initial teacher education
  • supervisor of graduate research projects
  • Foundation Fellow, Monash Education Academy

I am a Professor of English and International Education in the Faculty of Education, Monash University. My work continues to be enriched by dialogic engagement across cultural, linguistic, discipline and professional spaces.

I began my professional life as a French horn player in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra from 1977-1983. After graduating with a BA (Hons) at University of Melbourne, my  interests in teaching, literature and writing drew me away from music to pursue a career in education. I taught English, literature and drama in Victoria and the USA for 11 years before joining the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne in 2000, and subsequently the Faculty of Education at Monash University in 2003.

In 2006, I was awarded a Carrick nomination for outstanding contributions to teaching and learning at Monash. The following year, I completed my PhD, titled Inquiry-based professional learning of English-literature teachers: Negotiating dialogic potential. In 2008, I was a joint winner of the national AARE Award for Doctoral Research in Education. I won a Dean's Award for Excellence in Graduate Research Supervision in 2015, and a Vice-Chancellor's Award for Programs that Enhance Learning in 2016. In 2015, I was appointed Foundation Fellow of the Monash Education Academy and a member of its inaugural Executive Council. And in 2018, The Australian newspaper identified me as a national ‘research leader’ in the field of English language and literature education. From 2018 to 2022, I served as the Faculty's inaugural Associate Dean, International.  

I have authored and edited 10 scholarly books, guest edited 6 special issues of journals, and published dozens of journal articles and book chapters in quality national and international publications. 

Current projects include:

  • Sustaining the secondary English teaching profession/al in Victoria (VATE)
  • Praxis, professional learning and becoming in cross-sectoral English teacher and teacher educator professional learning communities
  • Dialogic writing in teacher professional learning communities 

Research interests

  • English language, literature and literacy education
  • Professional learning and becoming
  • Initial teacher education (ITE)
  • International professional experience in ITE
  • Writing and educational praxis
  • Creativity in English education
  • Narrative-based methodologies
  • International education

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 1 - No Poverty
  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
  • SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Research area keywords

  • Languages, literatures and literacies
  • English Education
  • Teacher Education
  • Narrative
  • Creativity
  • Teacher Professional Learning

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or