Aims and Objectives
Aims
- To create a critical mass to strengthen, promote, apply and make visible research products and UNE's national and international profile in International Education and Sustainability;
- To bring together teams of UNE researchers and facilitate their applications for external research grants and consultancies in the broad field of research in International Education and Sustainability.
- To support the development of research excellence in the field of International Education and Sustainability:
- with a strong emphasis on social justice;
- using a variety of research approaches; and
- focusing on a range of sites such as schools, teacher education and the curriculum.
Operational Objectives
The Centre has the following objectives for the first three full years of operation:
- Coordinate and encourage the development of research by individuals and teams to apply for small and large, internal and external competitive research grants. Operational objective per annum: Apply for 1 ARC (or equivalent) grants, 2-3 UNE URG grants and 2-3 FEHPS IRG grants;
- Contribute to a supportive environment for postgraduate research students in order to enhance completion rates. Operational objective per annum: at least one doctoral completion and 2 masters honours completions by postgraduates associated with the centre;
- Encourage dissemination of centre research through conference presentations. Operational objective per annum. At least one refereed conference presentation per member;
- Encourage dissemination of centre research through publications. Operational objective per annum: At least one refereed journal article per member;
- Conduct an international conference once every three years;
- Assist in the recruitment of postgraduate students undertaking research into international education and sustainability. Operational objective: Promote relevant awards and specializations via email, the web, the Centre newsletter and conferences;
- Coordinate and facilitate tenders for consultancies in areas of members' expertise. Operational objectives. Apply for relevant tenders that arise both in terms of research consultancies and in the provision of short courses which disseminate and apply the results of research;
- Coordinate and facilitate seminars by local and visiting scholars. Operational objective: Hold monthly seminars (8 per year) on relevant topics including at least one visiting eminent scholar;
- Report the Centre’s activities and perspectives through publication of a newsletter and provision of articles and commentary through other relevant outlets. Operational objective: Produce a twice-yearly Centre newsletter, develop press releases as appropriate, and develop Centre web site;
- Provide research-based input to state and federal politicians regarding relevant education policies Operational objective: Provide relevant executive summaries and briefing papers on research outcomes to relevant politicians and bureaucrats;
- Establish relationships with relevant professional education bodies, nationally and internationally. Operational objective: Make contact with DET, Educational Queensland etc. through newsletter, invitation to seminar series, mail outs of research findings, and provision of short courses;
- Create a logo for the Centre;
- Annually produce an Annual Report setting out the work of the Centre for that year;
- Compile a ‘publicity’ folder which sets out on one page for each project/consultancy gained by the Centre;
- Evaluate the work of the Centre based upon these objectives after three years.