Research Networks

The Faculty of Education at Waikato University has eight research networks that are supported by the Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research. The networks provide opportunities for the development of collaborative research projects and forums for the sharing of expertise and ideas. These networks work closely together, often with themes crossing over between them.

Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment

Network Leader: Clive McGee 

The Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment research network is concerned with research in a variety of topics at different levels.

Early Years

Network Leader: Margaret Carr 

The Early Years research network is concerned with research on educational policy and practice in and for early years contexts: early childhood settings, the early years of school, families and whānau.

History, Philosophy and Social Theory in Education

Network Leaders: Sue Middleton and Michael Peters

The History, Philosophy and Social Theory in Education (HiPSTer) research network acts as a cross-disciplinary meeting-point for educationists whose work is strongly influenced by various theoretical, methodological and substantive tendencies in philosophy, history and the social sciences more broadly.

Human Development and Counselling

Network Leader: Lise Bird Claiborne 

The Human Development and Counselling research network includes multiple disciplinary approaches to research on patterns of experience and change in people's lives.

Language, Literacy and Arts Education

Network Leader: Terry Locke 

The Language, Literacy and Arts Education research network is concerned with research into language, literacy and arts education in a range of educational contexts.

Leadership and Policy

Network Leader: Martin Thrupp 

The Leadership and Policy research network’s interests are centred on examining leadership and policy experiences and practices across and within diverse, situated contexts.

Māori Education

Network Leader: Russell Bishop 

The Māori Education research network’s goal is to uphold the University’s commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi by supporting educational research capable of fostering and facilitating the self-determination, aspirations, preferences and practices of indigenous peoples in New Zealand, Australia, and other international sites.

Science, Maths, Technology and Environmental Education

Network Leader: Bronwen Cowie

The Science, Maths, Technology and Environmental Education research network is concerned with research into science, mathematics, technology and environmental education across a range of educational contexts.

Sport and Leisure Studies

Network Leaders: Bob Rinehart

The Sport and Leisure Studies research network is generally concerned with a variety of standpoints, methodologies, and topical areas.