Premier's Reserve Bank of Australia Economics Scholarship


​This study tour is made possible through the RBA's generous commitment. It presents a rare opportunity for teachers to engage in academic research. It utilises the collaborative expertise of a profession entering a new phase of building models in teaching and learning that are valid and evidence-based.

Research Questions

  • ​What frames good economics pedagogy?
  • How can economics teachers develop Assessment for Learning (AfL) that engages, informs and enhances the learning process for female students in senior economics?
  • How can organisations and government institutions support economics teachers’ knowledge and training?
  • What models of advocacy for women in economics are working?​​
The Study Tour both provides international examples of reimagining economics curriculum and pedagogy, exploring professional learning opportunities and quality resources. The learning intention is to support teachers with resources and teaching strategies that foster critical and creative thinking and engage students in economics.
It is also researching what is working for women in economics and its potential for us.

Roadmap

​Students are the key stakeholders in this and that is what gives this an authentic purpose. However, authenticity means the project should fulfil more than a moral purpose: it should deliver new ideas, tools and resources to improve practice and the learning outcomes of students. Assessment drives learning and is what makes learning visible through the process and product.

In reviewing the process, I am concerned with improving a number of key areas for students:
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  • their critical and creative thinking skills,
  • the opportunity to collaborate, problem-solve, analyse information for relevance and accuracy and
  • to imagine their future using these thinking skills as a framework.

​Disseminating the findings starts with:
  • Engaging in social media platforms,
  • Developing and strengthening links within professional learning communities in economics,
  • Presentation at the Business Educators Australasian Conference, Canberra, 2018, and
  • developing a resource platform for teachers to share and support.

Focus areas:
  • I have been involved in an action research project in the Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn secondary schools relating to economic enrolment, participation and results. Using an intuitive inquiry approach to build theory and draw conclusions, I intend to disseminate the findings through the Economics and Business Educators Board (EBE) NSW and the Economic Society of Australia (ESA) for consultations. Students from regional and remote areas are significantly disadvantaged and the Action Research Project aims to develop a model for online participation through an Adobe Connect Classroom to offset the inequity stratified by distance and budgets.
  • Dialogue with the New York Fed
  • Attendance at the American Economic Association Annual Meeting 2018, ASSA, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Visit schools in USA, England and Singapore
  • Work with Rethinking Economics (http://www.rethinkeconomics.org/) to open dialogue on outreach programs for schools following their extensive success in the UK, delivering a gender inclusive program in Economics.
  • Developing teacher effectiveness is critical to a quality learning environment and promoting professional learning  through mentoring will drive student outcomes through a transformative professional learning model.