Australian Education Research

Decadal Plan for Australian Education Research

In August 2024, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (the Academy) and the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) convened a Roundtable discussion of priorities and future directions for education research. The roundtable was attended by more than thirty representatives from universities, peak bodies and professional organisations, education unions and education research agencies. Attendees agreed to work together to develop a Decadal Plan for Australian Education Research, a 10-year roadmap for the education research field with the intention of increasing the profile, impact and resourcing of education research in Australia.

The Decadal Plan will be the first of its kind for Australian education research. It aims to set out a vision for Australian education research that delivers proactive responses to sector challenges, enhances national research capability, and creates pathways for increased investment and partnerships.

The Decadal Plan is being led by the Academy and AARE and developed in collaboration with the Australian Council of Deans of Education (ACDE), Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), Early Childhood Australia, Australian Teacher Education Association (ATEA), Australian Education Union (AEU), Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Deakin University Centre for Research for Educational Impact (REDI), and Griffith Institute for Education Research.

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Planned approach

The Academy is leading the development of the Decadal Plan over the course of 12 months, taking a staged approach.

The Academy has convened a Steering Committee comprised of funding partners and other representatives to guide the approach, direction and focus of the Decadal Plan and ensure wide consultation.

Based on consultation input, the Steering Committee will agree on structure and priorities and work with the Academy to oversee the drafting, publication and dissemination of the Decadal Plan.

Sector engagement and collaboration

The Decadal Plan is conceived of as exercise in sector collaboration, aiming for strong engagement across different education stakeholders, including peak or national education organisations and groups, and representation of the breadth of education research. The education research and practice ecosystem spans beyond the groups represented on the Steering Committee, which is why collaboration and consultation are central to the development of the Decadal Plan.

There are several opportunities for sector involvement in the development and implementation of the Decadal Plan.

Consultation

The Academy is inviting input from across the sector through a Consultation Paper and open consultation period (1 December 2025 – 16 March 2026). Targeted sector roundtable discussions and workshops will also be conducted.

We are seeking to understand how the education research ecosystem is currently functioning and where there are opportunities for improvement. A detailed understanding of the practical and immediate and longer-term needs of the education research sector is fundamental to a successful Decadal Plan.

We are inviting written responses to the consultation questions via email to policy@socialsciences.org.au.

Working groups

Working groups will be formed to bring together expertise and collaboratively draft the Decadal Plan. Working groups will be organised around different priority areas and themes and will comprise of Steering Committee members and volunteers from across the education research and practice ecosystem.

Get involved

If you are interested in participating in a working group or would like further details, please email the project lead, Dr Honae Cuffe at honae.cuffe@socialsciences.org.au.

Download the Consultation Paper

Early priorities

01

Justice, quality and equity for all 

  • Develop insights into the challenges created by policy and funding mechanisms, inconsistent regularity frameworks across jurisdictions and sectors, and broader societal factors.
  • Identify avenues for more coordinated, cross-sectoral and cross-disciplinary research to identify solutions that deliver outcomes for all learners.

02

A prepared well-supported education workforce

  • The role that educational research can play in building evidence and insight into workforce needs and capabilities.
  • Develop insight into barriers to entry and issues with workforce retention.
  • Identify and develop best practice approaches in teaching and learning, including shared professional standards and models for evaluation.
  • Identify and develop best practice strategies for preventing burnout and improving workplace conditions.

03

A world-class connected research capability

  • Build evidence and insight into increased support for education research, focusing on national priorities and targeted projects and underpinned by rigorous evaluation.
  • Develop frameworks to enable better access and connections across research datasets.
  • Rigorous research training that supports a strong, connected research capability.

04

Cross-sector collaboration and shared understanding and knowledge 

  • Develop insights into the multiplicity of the education sector and how to overcome the challenges of misalignment.
  • Identifying avenues for collaboration and shared learning that support career-long learning and greater mobility.

Partners

Timeframe

Detailed project planning is currently under development, with an indicative launch date in September 2026. More details will be published here soon.

Steering Committee

  • Professor Jill Blackmore AM, FASSA
  • Associate Professor Jennifer Clifton
  • Associate Professor Gwilym Croucher
  • Professor Barney Dalgarno
  • Professor Susan Danby FASSA
  • Dr Dan Edwards
  • Mr Jonathan Guy
  • Dr Chris Hatherly
  • Associate Professor Steven Hodge
  • Professor Kevin Lowe 
  • Professor Julie McLeod FASSA
  • Dr Kate O’Connor
  • Associate Professor Louisa Tomas Engel
  • Dr Sarah Wight