Research output per year
Research output per year
Research activity per year
My research agenda is concerned with inter-related themes, as follows:
I seek projects that combine two or more of the themes identified above; and in particular, projects that challenge the status quo through action-research, appreciative enquiry and/or strengths-based practice. My continuing intellectual project is to document evidence demonstrating that a particular type of pedagogy (that is critical, creative, contextualised, compassionate, cross-cultural, strengths-based and authentic) enhances learning, health and wellbeing and contributes to education for equity, diversity and inclusion. Hence, in a broader sense, my research aims to support the Monash Impact 2030 aspiration thriving communities, and the faculty research agenda on the themes noted above, as well as the aspirations for shaping digital futures, transforming teaching and learning and reimagining educational leadership.
My earlier research addressed a range of issues including: the changing nature of work; workplace learning environments; adult and employment related literacy/ies; communication skills; generic and employability skills; and employer attitudes.
I have a continuing interest in adult learning and change and innovative approaches to learning across a range of contexts. I am interested in innovation as a means to enhancing equity and educational outcomes. Studies such as Breathing Life into Training (1994), Contradicting the Stereotype (2005) and Working from Strengths (2008) explored the implications of innovative approaches, strength-based practice and aspects of appreciative enquiry. The ACE Experience: Pedagogies for life and employability (2004), with Dr Jill Sanguinetti from Victoria University, was a detailed and collaborative exploration of teaching and learning strategies with Adult Community Education (ACE) practitioners.
Partnerships for learning have also been a focus of my formal research. In our report, Creating Synergies (NCVER 2006) we highlighted the importance of ‘boundary-crossing’ work and the new forms of ‘hybrid practice’ that often need to be innovative, multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural and collaborative.
I am an experienced adult educator, lecturer, manager, consultant and researcher with an established track record in teaching and research relating to adult learning, adult literacy, work, skills, and workplace change. In 2012 I returned to Australia from New Zealand where I had been appointed founding Director of the National Centre of Literacy and Numeracy for Adults at the University of Waikato. I have a continuing interest in teacher education and the dynamic between life-experience, work, and learning.
I enjoy the challenges of teaching at the tertiary level and appreciate engagements with educational practitioners. A special interest is in exploring the tensions between theory and practice, and teaching and facilitating ‘praxis’ – or critically reflective practice.
My PhD research investigated experiential learning, reflective practice and professional development within the context of adult and vocational education. My dissertation (1999, La Trobe University) was titled: Good Beginnings: A search for authenticity in adult education practice and identity. The study was innovative, qualitative, and used arts-based research methods to construct and examine critically a series of autobiographical and ethnographic case studies. The cases illuminated experiential learning and reflective practice across a range of education settings, from schools, to Universities, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and workplaces. The study was nominated by the University for an Academic Research Award.
Regarding Good Beginnings, my examiners said:
“A fascinating autobiographical construction and re- construction of the self as practitioner. It provides powerful testimony of a consciously evolving reflective practitioner ... an excellent example of self-reflexive practitioner research ... the author should be commended for the risk-taking that this has involved.”
Professor David Boud, University of Technology, Sydney.
“The thesis was beautifully constructed ... innovative and compelling in its conception and execution ... enjoyable to read but also very thought provoking ... the thesis has outstanding methodological integrity and presents a powerful and compelling story ... The quality of the writing is very high indeed. As an exercise in communication it is masterful.”
Dr. Martin Mulligan, University of Western Sydney.
“An outstanding thesis that makes a very substantial and highly original contribution to knowledge”
Professor C.T. Patrick Diamond, University of Toronto
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):
Research output: Book/Report › Book › Research › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Other › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Tour, Katrina (Recipient), Creely, Ed (Recipient) & Waterhouse, Peter (Recipient), 1 Jun 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Katrina Tour (Invited speaker), Ed Creely (Invited speaker), Peter Waterhouse (Invited speaker) & Michael Henderson (Invited speaker)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
Ed Creely (Speaker), Katrina Tour (Speaker) & Peter Waterhouse (Speaker)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
Katrina Tour (Speaker), Ed Creely (Speaker) & Peter Waterhouse (Speaker)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
Ed Creely (Speaker), Katrina Tour (Speaker) & Peter Waterhouse (Speaker)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to workshop, seminar, course
Katrina Tour (Speaker), Ed Creely (Speaker) & Peter Waterhouse (Speaker)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
Katrina Tour, Michael Henderson, Edwin Creely, Peter Waterhouse & Xuan Pham
1/03/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature