The School of Education at the University of Waikato

The School of Education is a major sponsor of the Positioning Geography Conference. The School has worked with the Department of Geography in the School of Social Sciences for a number of years, most strongly in collaborative research programmes and in teaching of graduate papers in Geographical Education. The funding provided by the School has been used to support the participation of local social sciences teachers in the Conference.

Research in education is the key activity of the School. The Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research - undertakes, supports and disseminates research relating to the broad field of education. The Centre for Science and Technology Education Research - enhances the learning and teaching of science and technology through quality research and development. The Educational Leadership Centre - seeks through its many activities to achieve excellence in the provision of research, development and support in professional leadership for educators nationally and internationally. Te Kotahitanga Research Unit - through research and professional development is dedicated to improving the educational achievement of Māori secondary students in mainstream education.

Paul Keown has been the key staff member in Policy, Cultural and Social Studies of the School of Education. In 2006 his research interests led to the development of a research project and the eventual publication of his major work with teachers in the Social sciences in 2009. Paul completed a doctoral thesis entitled A Virtual Community of Practice Approach to Teacher Professional Development and Learning that charted his experience in working with secondary teachers in Social Sciences.

Philippa Hunter also works in Policy Cultural and Social Studies with a strong teaching and research interest in History. Pip teaches in the fields of secondary social sciences curriculum (History & Social Studies) and curriculum and policy studies/development. She has a background in primary and secondary education, with curriculum and assessment interests informed by extensive experience in national social sciences curriculum and assessment developments.