PhD Innovation, Design & Technology (Secondary Education )

Unique PhD opportunity, exploring topics in the area of technology, innovation practices and design relevant to secondary school education.

About the Scholarship
A three-year fulltime (indexed) PhD scholarship is available for doctoral studies exploring a pre-defined topic area. This PhD is conducted in partnership with Camberwell Girls Grammar School (CCGS) and Xavier College. The PhD study will investigate the teaching and learning needs of secondary school teachers using the Australian Curriculum (F-10) as well as VCE. It will also explore options to better prepare future students for the changing world of work and the digital/high tech/data driven economy. Students will need capability and skills to navigate future workforce conditions and globalisation.

This scholarship is funded to explore the intersection between emerging technologies (digital technologies, robotics, extended reality, artificial intelligence, machine learning, the internet of things and Industry 4.0), human-centred design approaches, innovation culture and innovative learning spaces (on and school off-site). The PhD outcomes may focus on curriculum content, delivery and/or learning spaces, according to needs discovered by the research.

The candidate will conduct an in-depth literature review and primary research in conjunction with Xavier College, Camberwell Girls Grammar School (with focus on Years 7-10) and Swinburne University in order to define a research gap and develop relevant research questions. Relevant research methods will be conducted and applied outcomes are expected, with recommendations/interventions piloted with the partner schools. The PhD project involves practical application and can be undertaken as a traditional thesis with artefact (the practical application design), traditional thesis or thesis by publication including artefact.

The candidate will work closely and collaboratively with their Swinburne University academic supervisors, as well as a range of stakeholders and partner schools, spending time on each site. The successful candidate will act as a conduit for sharing knowledge between partners, with milestones for documenting and sharing outcomes of research-to-date, from the first year of the PhD.

Throughout the course of the PhD the candidate will provide a link between Swinburne and the two schools to allow for the exchange of ideas and to explore relevant opportunities available at Swinburne for secondary school engagement and learning (for both teachers and students). The PhD candidate will lead in collaboration with Swinburne staff and academics, the establishment and maintenance of an advisory group consisting of appropriate members from Xavier College, Camberwell Girls Grammar School, Swinburne Research, the Swinburne Innovation Precinct (Design Factory Melbourne and Factory of the Future), Swinburne’s Department of Education, relevant Swinburne Schools and Swinburne PAVE.

The candidate will join a growing cohort of PhD student exploring topics in the area of technology, innovation practices and design relevant to secondary school education.

Location
This position is currently located at the Hawthorn campus of Swinburne University. The candidate will be expected to spend time onsite at Camberwell Girls Grammar School and Xavier College, on average 1 day a week at each school (2 days a week at schools in total), subject to compliance with any Covid-safe constraints.

About Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne is a multi-sector university of science, technology and innovation with more than 54,000 students and 5,000 staff globally. We offer postgraduate, undergraduate, vocational education and online education to provide students with a variety of work-relevant pathways. Our mission is to be a world-class university, creating economic and social impact through science, technology and innovation. We aim to deliver future-ready learners, research with impact and innovative enterprise.

About you
To be successful in the role, you will have:
The successful candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, to work with diverse stakeholders. They should have background qualification and/or experience in either Design, Education or Technology related fields. Candidates with knowledge across all or two of these fields are preferred. 

The successfuly candidate should be currently located within Australia and an Australian citizen or permanent resident or hold an appropriate student visa as the candidate should be ideally enrolled by August 2021.

A full list of selection criteria is available within the position description.

How to apply and further information
Please submit your application by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link, and submit a resume, cover letter and a response to the Key Selection Criteria, as listed in the position description.

For further enquires please contact Professor Christine Thong - cthong@swin.edu.au or Associate Professor Therese Keane – tkeane@swin.edu.au

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Recruitment team on staffrecruitment@swin.edu.au

Should you require further support for an interview due to special needs or consideration, please contact our Diversity Manager, Maree Norden, on inclusion@swin.edu.au. For support or queries related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment, please contact DeadlyCareers@swin.edu.au.
Swinburne is a large and culturally diverse organisation. We are proud to be recognised by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency as an Employer of Choice for women for 10 years in a row and of key initiatives such as our Pride@Swinburne Strategic Action Plan and our Reconciliation Action Plan. Equity and diversity are integral to our 2025 vision to be a world class university creating social and economic impact through science, technology and innovation.

Applications close at 5pm on Tuesday 27 July 2021