Keynote Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Professor Raewyn Connell - University of Sydney

Raewyn Connell is Professor Emerita, University of Sydney, and Life Member of the National Tertiary Education Union. She has taught in several countries and is a widely-cited researcher in education and other fields of social science.

Her books (solo or co-written) include The Good University; Schools and Social Justice; Running Twice as Hard; Teachers' Work; and Making the Difference. Her work has been translated into nineteen languages so far. Raewyn has been active in the labour movement and in work for gender equality and peace. Details at www.raewynconnell.net and Twitter @raewynconnell.

Indigenous Keynote Speaker

Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney - University of South Australia

Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney is Professor of Education in the Pedagogies for Justice Research group in the Centre for Research in Educational and Social Inclusion, University of South Australia. He was Distinguished Fellow at Kings College, London, Menzies Australia Institute; and Research Fellow, University of British Columbia, Canada and University of Fort Hare, South Africa. The Australian Council of Educational Leaders and Australian Council of Educational Leaders have prestigiously recognised him for outstanding Research. He was inducted into the Australian College of Educators early in his research career.

One of Australia’s most respected Aboriginal educationalists, Professor Rigney belongs to the Narungga, Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Nations of South Australia. He has numerous appointments to University, State and Federal Government advisory boards tasked with advancing Aboriginal Education. He is best known for his theorisation of Indigenist Epistemologies and Aboriginal Education putting him at the forefront for schooling and language rights from 1990s to the 2000s. According to Rigney’s three principles of Indigenist epistemology – schools, teachers and researchers must build community partnerships and embed Aboriginal cultures as driving force for transformative, culturally responsive education. Many teachers and policy writers have been inspired by Rigney’s writings that promotes the idea that culturally responsive schooling is built from the experiences and abilities students bring to class. Professor is a recognized expert on Aboriginal and minority education of the Pacific. He is also a Scientific Committee member for the Foundation Reggio Children Centro Loris Malaguzzi. He well published and has led several Australian Research Council funded and other competitive grants including: Indigenist Research Epistemologies a Historical Journey of Conviction, Contradiction and Transformation; Addressing the Gap between Policy and Implementation: Strategies for Improving Educational Outcomes of Indigenous Students; and Towards an Australian culturally responsive pedagogy. 

Radford Lecture Keynote Speaker

Professor Pat Thomson - University of Nottingham

Pat Thomson PSM PhD FRSA FAcSS is Professor of Education in the School of Education, The University of Nottingham. She was formerly a school principal in disadvantaged schools in South Australia and managed strategic planning for the state education department before moving to the University of South Australia to start and run a professional doctorate. Her research is primarily focused on pedagogies which support equitable change in schools and communities and most recently has been focused on cultural and alternative education. She also works on academic writing and research education, and her blog patter (pat thomson.net) is widely used in doctoral programmes. She has published twenty six academic books; the most recent is Schooling Scandals, Blowing the whistle on the corruption of our education system (Policy Press 2020). Books on school gardens, cultural citizenship and revising academic writing are forthcoming.

AARE Presidential Address

Professor Deb Hayes - University of Sydney

Debra Hayes is Professor of Education and Equity and Head, Sydney School of Education and Social Work. Her research investigates inequitable effects of schooling in high poverty and difference contexts.