ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Dr Sonal Nakar
Co-Conference Chair
Dr Sonal Nakar is an experienced practitioner with research expertise in the teaching of ethics, ethical reasoning, teacher education, the beginning teacher workforce, and work-integrated learning in education. Her current and published research is in vocational education and training, with a particular emphasis on understanding the ethical dilemmas faced by vocational trainers in times of rapid change. Her wide research interests revolve around initial teacher education and vocational teacher training and development, the impact of neoliberal reforms on VET and VET teachers, and the role of codes of conduct in decision-making, ethical reasoning of teachers, inclusive education, online teaching, student engagement, and work-integrated learning. Orcid ID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7245-1669
Dr Natasha Arthars, Queensland University of Technology
Dr Llandis Barratt-Pugh
Llandis managed a large VET UK organisation winning two national Training Awards. As Associate Dean Research and MBA lecturer for ECU Business Faculty, Llandis twice gained University awards for exceptional teaching and learning. He has authored more then 60 refereed papers and articles, and supervised 30 higher degree candidates. He managed two ARC, and four NCVER, and 14 industry funded research studies. He was President of AVETRA from 2010/13 and a current executive member. He approaches VET from an HRD perspective and with a specific interest in researcher development.
Dr Warren Guest
Warren is a post-doctoral researcher and an AVETRA Executive Committee Team member. He holds an International Specialist Skills Institute Research fellowship and a previous consultancy role with the Victorian Skills Authority on their National Qualification Reform Design Group advisory team. He is passionate about VET qualification reform and has research interest in the areas of VET curriculum, apprenticeship training and workplace learning.
He is currently the Program Manager for Le Cordon Bleu’s Higher Education programs in Melbourne, reflecting his previous trade experience as a chef and restaurant owner. He has over 15 years’ experience in VET teaching.
Dr Karen O'Reilly-Briggs
Dr Karen O'Reilly-Briggs is an International Specialised Skills Institute Department of Education and Training Fellow, Secretary of the Australasian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA) and trade-qualified industry-experienced metal fabrication and pressure vessel welding tradesperson. She worked as a trade teacher in Victorian TAFEs for approximately 10 years before completing a PhD researching the impact of national training reform on the teaching and learning of engineering trades in Victoria. Her research interests include VET, trades and apprenticeships, VET teacher education and the status of VET is society. Karen currently works as an Academic Course Manager at Box Hill Institute.
Steven Hodge
Steven Hodge is Director of the Griffith Institute for Educational Research (GIER), a large, multidisciplinary community of education researchers. Steven’s research focuses on the relationship between curriculum development and the work of educators. Much of his empirical research has been in the areas of adult and vocational education, concerned with how occupational knowledge and skills are represented in curriculum and how that curriculum is translated for learning.
Andrew Williamson
Andrew Williamson is the inaugural Executive Lead for the establishment and coordination of the National TAFE Network.
A chef by trade and a former cookery teacher, Andrew has 20+ years of experience in TAFE and VET leadership – mainly in Melbourne. His roles have included executive roles in TAFEs, the Victorian TAFE Association and an Australian Technical College Prior to his recent appointment to the National TAFE Network, Andrew was the Executive Director, Regions, Industry and Community in TAFE SA.
Andrew has a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) and Master degrees in both Education (VET), and Public Administration.
Andrew is a passionate advocate for public and vocational education, engaged with the vibrant VET communities across Australia and around the world. He is also committed to applied research in VET: Andrew is one of three co-chairs of the Applied Research and Innovation Affinity Group for the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP), is a Vice-President of AVETRA and editor of AVETRA’s Research Today magazine, and on the editorial board of the International Journal of Training Research (IJTR).
AVETRA
AVETRA
26 is organised by the Australasian Vocational Education and Training Research
Association (AVETRA), with the support of FineHaus
Telephone
AVETRA Secretariat
+61 3 3 8658 6641