I am writing the President's Report just prior to the Ryan by-election. I live in the electorate but not in one of the palatial homes imagined as standard by Kim Beasley in a recent radio interview. I drive a 1987 Falcon. Good condition, new tyres (offers accepted). One of my neighbours is a retired single grandmother who drives a Hyundai Excel, and the other neighbour is a policeman (4-wheel drive, bull-bar) with a young family - I am on very good terms with him (just in case). By the time you read this we will know whether the opinion polls were correct in predicting that the Liberal blue-ribbon seat will be won by Labor.
The Ryan campaign has demonstrated that policy backflips and rethinks are very likely in the lead-up to the federal election later in the year. This provides an opportunity for organisations such as AARE to lobby both the Labor opposition and the Coalition regarding the importance of funding for education research and for public support of universities. While both parties are committed to increased funding for the "knowledge nation", it remains unclear in what ways and to what extent this is likely to benefit the education research community. For example, the recent "Innovations" statement from the Government, and the changes to the processes and funding of the ARC, appear to provide new funding opportunities for education researchers - particularly those with interests in science, technology and innovation, or perhaps those with close to ties to "industry". Suddenly we all have these interests - hmm. Clearly, we need to consider ways to engage policy makers in discussion about the particular interests of the education research community.
Jenny Gore, Jill Blackmore, Shaun Rawolle and I have been working on a proposal for a research directors/postgraduate coordinators forum mid-year as one concrete step we could take to place AARE at the centre of these emerging issues. Of particular importance at this proposed meeting, will be the effects on Education Faculties of the government's reallocation of research higher degree student places, and the increased importance of completion rates for maintaining such places. We know that research students are crucial for the research culture and research productivity of faculties so it is vital for us to monitor and respond to these government initiatives. Given that education research students are often full-time professionals with other responsibilities as well, the changes to funding regimes may impact the education research community negatively.
The Executive has also decided to initiate a process of data gathering so that we can monitor the way funds are distributed to researchers through federal and state agencies. We are also planning a number of forums at the annual conference where the politics of education research funding can be discussed with politicians, other policy makers and managers.
I will be working with Jill Blackmore and Bob Lingard and other executive members on this lobbying task throughout the year. "Lobbying" may be a limited framework within which to conceptualise and plan this process of attempting to influence education policies and funding priorities. "Lobbying" implies a limited and uniform common group-interest, and positions the lobbyist on the outside of the process. In fact, some AARE members have been policy insiders at times and many of us are engaged as consultants and advisors to government and private institutions. This complicates our relationships to each other and suggests a more complex process of engagement in working within as well as against particular policy formulations and plans. So - some dilemmas here. We would like to hear from you if you have ideas and strategies for effective lobbying/engagement.
| See AARE Membership Survey enclosed with this issue. Please return to AARE office about the same time as your Abstract for the 2001 conference - end of April. | Notice the inserts from publishers of member/authors in this issue. Your publisher can have an insert too. All advertisers also get a space on AARE web site. |
| Note: The membership survey and inserts referred to in this issue was distributed with the paper edition. They are not part of the electronic version. | |
You will notice [I hope!] a survey of members that has been distributed with this News. We decided at the recent Executive meeting to conduct the survey for two main reasons. First it provides a means for members to let us know what the Association is doing well and what areas of service and activity we need to improve (we are heavily into self- regulation and self-assessment). Second, it is a subtle form of advertising and promotion. Without trying to prejudice your responses to the survey (hmm), as we compiled the questions we were struck by the number and variety of services and activities that the Association now provides. But we do need your feedback, so please take a few minutes to fill in the survey and return it so we can "improve our game".
I think it is important to highlight the diversity of research interests of Executive members. We mirror to a large extent the variety of research interests and scholarly/disciplinary backgrounds of the membership, and we are keen to maintain an inclusive and participatory culture within the Executive and the Association. The point I am making here is illustrated by noting the diverse interests of the four new Executive members who were elected recently. Jenny Gore, as Professor of Teacher Education at Newcastle University brings a valuable perspective on pre-service teacher education, and professional development. Professor Jane Kenway is a senior member of a research group at the University of South Australia that is examining current education policies and programs within a social justice framework. Dr Jennifer Sumsion is from the Early Childhood Institute at Macquarie University and brings a particular research interest in early childhood policies and educational programs. The early childhood research community is a large group of researchers, and hopefully AARE will be seen as increasingly relevant to this research community. Finally Shaun Rawolle, a doctoral student from UQ, is researching recent policy initiatives regarding science funding and science education, and will be representing the interests of postgraduate student members. It is worth noting also that the Executive has representation from every mainland State (sorry Tas.).
There are a number of other important issues we are following up this year including the implications of the meeting in Japan in October last year (see the final News No.33, 2000) regarding the establishment of the Asia Pacific Education Research Association. We are the examining the immediate and longer term implications for AARE playing a leadership role in promoting this association.
On a related matter, we are delighted that ERA Singapore will be participating in the Perth conference later in the year. Rather than an official joint endeavour (similar to the 1996 conference we held in Singapore) it will be organised by AARE with a sizeable delegation from Singapore joining in the conference program and activities. I would also like to thank Rod Chadbourne from Edith Cowan University for stepping in to convene the conference after Clive Dimmock had to withdraw (Clive accepted a position back in the UK - congratulations Clive).
Under the leadership of Jenny Gore (Research Training Coordinator), we are also reassessing our approach to research training. Our evolving model has included a variety of activities including conference workshops, travelling experts, regional seminars, and international scholars sponsored by AARE. We are examining which aspects of this model are still relevant, and how new approaches might be initiated.
The Association, I believe, is in good shape. Financially, we are in a sound position; membership remains high; postgraduate student numbers are growing; the journal (AER) has attained a high standard; the administration of the affairs of the Association through Ruth Jeffery (AARE Office Services) is efficient and meticulous (thanks Ruth); our web site is lauded as exemplary in providing a wealth of research articles and information; the annual conference remains well-attended; and while the Executive is not exactly young (Shaun apart) it remains energetic and enthusiastic. You may or may not agree with this summation - so why not immediately fill in the survey. Looking forward to seeing you in Perth.
Cheers.
Peter Renshaw