Developing Research Capacity in Education Schools and Faculties in Newer Universities Seeking Research Excellence and Entrepreneurship

Abstract

All forms of formal education in Australia—from early childhood through the formal years of schooling to tertiary education—are increasingly under the microscope in Australia, and internationally, with all sectors under pressure to transform their practices by better engaging students, improving student outcomes, and teaching smarter, as well as addressing a range of social and political imperatives.

Please note that this chapter was written in the week that followed the Australian federal election that resulted in a change of government (September 7, 2013). The government policies discussed here are those of the former Labor government (2007–2013), as the incoming coalition government had no election policies on higher education or research funding. The only indication of the principles and policy directions the coalition will follow comes from a speech by the new prime minister to Universities Australia earlier this year where he stated, “In a constrained budget environment, to avoid further cuts rather than to win higher funding is often the best outcome that particular sectors can hope for” (Abbott 2013). In the same speech he also stated, “We will encourage universities and institutes to ensure that their research work is world class, effectively delivered and well-targeted” and that the regulatory and compliance burden on universities would be reduced.