Professional Practice, Learning and Education (PPLE) research in the Faculty of Arts and Education (FOAE) focuses on exploring practices, learning and practice development in different professions, in different (everyday and institutionalised) settings, and in different national and international contexts. In this research group, researchers are interested in the social dimension of different fields of professional practice, of enacted learning practices (as novices, students, apprentices, teachers, leaders, instructors, officers, administrators, therapists etc), and, more broadly, about education itself. Researchers seek to investigate the working (or systemic) conditions that enable and constrain how practices are understood, practised, learned and developed in different professions and disciplines, and so examine the cultural, linguistic, material and relational aspects of different fields of professional work. Thus, researchers in the Professional Practice, Learning and Education (PPLE) research group draw on a range of theoretical perspectives and analytic methods to consider the language, work and power that constitute professional work and learning in a range of educational contexts or sectors (including early childhood, primary, secondary, tertiary and vocational education; home, community and workplace settings; and across both Australian and international contexts). These researchers are also interested in collaborative and participatory approaches to improving practices for the betterment (formation and transformation) of individuals and collectives.

The program of research that will form Professional Practice, Learning and Education (PPLE) research in FOAE is specifically aligned with Charles Sturt’s goal of developing Resilient People through the development of professional practices, the deepened understandings about learning, and the critique and transformation of education. The group builds on and extends the School of Education’s existing research strength and international collaborations developed and sustained through long-term participation in the international Pedagogy, Pedagogy and Praxis (PEP) research network. This PEP work, among that of other education scholars, has contributed to Charles Sturt’s recent ERA rating of “above world standard” for Curriculum and Pedagogy research.

The Professional Practice, Learning and Education (PPLE) research group aims to bring together a critical mass of academics from different disciplines, including educators (including teacher educators), ECRs, HDR students and research assistants who will conduct research that aims to transform the conditions (for professionals and learners) and the practices that form professional practice, learning and education.  This work also aims to promote a generative research environment that will help develop the full potential of researchers at all stages of their careers.