News

Mem Fox and friends make literacy research magic happen at UniSA

It’s a different kind of magic that renowned Australian children’s author, Mem Fox and the Australian Literacy and Education Association (ALEA), will make happen at the University of South Australia, when they sign up to bring some of the best international researchers in children’s literature and literacy to SA over the next five years.

Schools unfairly targeting vulnerable children with exclusion policies

Australian schools are unfairly suspending and excluding students – particularly boys, Indigenous students, and students with a disability – according to new research from the University of South Australia.

Bullying will only be addressed once we look beyond the school gate

It is a mistake to see bullying as just a school-based problem for teachers to tackle, rather than a whole-of-society issue, one that needs to be addressed at a community level, if we are to successfully reduce its prevalence, says University of South Australia bullying expert, Professor Barbara Spears.

Weird Science

White lab coats and dangerous experiments all epitomise the ‘mad scientist’ from many a Hollywood blockbuster but, even beyond the silver screen, the stereotype lives on, and according to new research, it could mar the next generation of potential scientists.

Government program fails to boost literacy in remote schools

A $30-million Federal Government program designed to improve literacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in very remote schools has failed to meet its goal, according to a new study by the University of South Australia and the Batchelor Institute for Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE).

Researchers say children need pop music literacy lessons to start in Reception

Children should learn about the media’s influence – particularly the influence of popular music – on our lives as soon as they start school to minimise the potentially harmful impact it can have on their development, says University of South Australia education researcher Dr Lesley-Anne Ey.

Beyond the bushfires, what can teachers do to help their kids?

In a little over two weeks, more than three million Australian students will return to school, ready to start a new year. But, amid the packed lunches and book bags, many may also be returning with a sense of anxiety and confusion in the aftermath of Australia’s devastating bushfires.

Trauma and kids: the role of the early childhood teacher

As catastrophic bushfires rage across New South Wales and Queensland, thousands of people are reeling from the devastation. It’s a shocking start to Australia’s fire season, but beyond the physical damage, the emotional scars persist, especially for Australia’s youngest citizens. New research explores the growing uncertainty faced by children aged 0-8 years in disaster zones, finding that early childhood teachers hold a vital role in supporting children dealing with trauma.

How neoliberal ideals have damaged education in Australia

They say hindsight is the best teacher and for one of Australia’s leading educators and curriculum experts, UniSA’s Professor Alan Reid, AM, the perspective on policy approaches to the Australian education system over the past 40 years, has been a bit depressing.

New book explores the global problem of teacher retention

Globally by 2030, the world will need to recruit almost 69 million teachers – almost 25 million primary school teachers and just under 45 million secondary teachers.

New state-wide anti-bullying initiative backed by local research

University of South Australia bullying expert, Associate Professor Barbara Spears has commended the State Government’s new community approach to bullying behaviour, saying the policy initiative, Connected - A community approach to Bullying Prevention within the school grates and Beyond, is ground-breaking in its approach.

UniSA’s innovative women educators awarded Menzies Fellowships

Dr Karen Sinclair and Dr Bindi MacGill.

Problematic sexual behaviour among young children raises concerns for educators

A national survey by University of South Australia researchers has exposed serious gaps in the ability of early childhood teachers, primary educators and carers to identify and respond to young children displaying “problematic sexual behaviours”.

Hidden mental health issues among refugees

HUMANITIES