Contemporary Approaches to Research Symposium

Schedule

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025 at 09:00 am to Fri, 21 Nov, 2025 at 05:00 pm

UTC+11:00

Location

Deakin Downtown | Melbourne, VI

Advertisement
A two-day symposium focussing on practical & theoretical aspects of a range of research methodologies.
About this Event

Contemporary Approaches to Research in Mathematics, Science, Health & Environmental Education Symposium

Each year the ‘Contemporary Approaches to Research (CAR) in Mathematics, Science, Health and Environmental Education’ symposium focuses on practical and theoretical aspects of a range of research methodologies – such as cross-cultural perspectives, activity theory, capturing complexity, classroom video analysis, quantitative methods, and interviewing – which are discussed in a lively, informal setting.

The program will include two keynote speakers and the themed sessions.

The program starts at 9.00 am and concludes at 5.00 pm each of the two days.

Presentations at the symposium will be grouped into sessions of two to four with similar methodological foci, designed to promote substantive discussion of a methodological issue. Presentations might focus on a) details and settings of the application of a methodology in ways that unpack how the methodology can operate in different contexts, or b) a particular methodological issue, problem, or strategic decision that explores or extends a methodology. The methodological issues should be broadly related to mathematics, science, health, or environmental education. The presentations should provide a grounded practitioner’s perspective.

Following each group of presentations, there will be the opportunity for extended discussion of the focus methodological issue, which may explore different approaches within the methodology (in research design, instruments, theoretical framing, or approaches to analysis), or different methodological approaches to a problem (for instance making sense of teacher practice, or tracking change in learners).

Presentations will be 12 minutes in duration and should briefly outline the research question being addressed and may include the findings or likely outcomes of the research, but should focus mainly on the research methodology. Reports on work in progress are welcome but the focus is on the methodology.



Keynote speakers



Event Photos

Sara Tolbert

Sara Tolbert (PhD) is Professor of Science and Environmental Education and Associate Dean (Research) at the University of Canterbury in Aotearoa New Zealand. Drawing on critical feminist methodologies and participatory research approaches, her work reimagines science education through 'education from below' - collaborating with school, community, and Indigenous partners to explore transdisciplinary and multilogical approaches to science learning. Prior to joining UC's Faculty of Education in 2019, she was Associate Professor at The University of Arizona, following a decade of teaching science, environmental studies, and ESOL in Mexico, Guatemala, New York, and Atlanta. She earned her PhD in Science Education and Social Contexts from UC-Santa Cruz, MEd from the University of Georgia, and BA in Environmental Studies from UC-Boulder. Sara co-founded Science Educators for Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice (SEEDS), co-directs UC's Learning for Earth Futures research cluster, and co-leads the Ōtautahi Food Justice Research Collaborative within UC's Community and Urban Resilience Initiative.


Event Photos

Matt Sexton

Dr. Matt Sexton is a Senior Lecturer at Australian Catholic University (ACU) where he directs the Mathematics Teaching and Learning Centre (MTLC). His research, using qualitative methodologies informed by cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT), examines how mathematics leaders in schools lead the development of mathematics education practice. Matt uses CHAT concepts to explain how mathematics leaders engage teachers in pedagogical reasoning as a form of professional practice, and how those leaders contribute to the sustainability of professional development projects. In 2024, Matt won the MERGA Early Career Researcher Award for outstanding conference paper and presentation. Matt partners with several education systems across Australia, supporting school mathematics leaders in their advancement of practice development in mathematics education.



Submit an Abstract

If you are interested in presenting at this symposium please register your expression of interest by Friday 10 October 2025 on the Re-Imagining Futures in STEME website (https://deakinsteme.org/) which provides online submission.

Presentations should be no longer than 12 minutes in duration (further details will be provided upon acceptance of your proposal). Presentations should briefly outline the research question being addressed, and may include the findings or likely outcomes of the research but should focus mainly on the research methodology. Reports on work in progress are welcome.

You may choose to pre-record presentations. This is essential for all online presenters. The links will be included in the program and the recording will be played on the day. During the presentation the chat feature of Zoom can be used to start the conversations. Questions can be addressed by typing in the chat and in the following discussion. A feature of the CAR Symposium program is the rich and collegial discussion that follows the presentations in the session.


Event Photos

Main image attribution

Sunflower Spiral, Clay Junell, Flicker, 5 November 2008. Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons.

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Deakin Downtown, 727 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

AUD 0.00 to AUD 200.00

The Centre for Research for Educational Impact

Host or Publisher The Centre for Research for Educational Impact

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Melbourne

FFJs Evil Minds Tour 2025
Wed, 19 Nov at 09:30 pm FFJs Evil Minds Tour 2025

The Tote

ENTERTAINMENT PERFORMANCES
Fix-A-Friend Community Desexing Day - November
Wed, 19 Nov at 10:00 pm Fix-A-Friend Community Desexing Day - November

Lost Dogs Home Frank Samways Vet Clinic

Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil 2025
Thu, 20 Nov at 07:30 am Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil 2025

Collingwood Town Hall

Melbourne Fabulous Ladies Wine Soiree with Dandelion Vineyards
Thu, 20 Nov at 08:30 am Melbourne Fabulous Ladies Wine Soiree with Dandelion Vineyards

Bistrot Bisou 575 Flinders Lane Melbourne

WORKSHOPS FOOD-DRINKS
Corto.Alto (UK) LIVE @ The Night Cat
Thu, 20 Nov at 10:00 am Corto.Alto (UK) LIVE @ The Night Cat

The Night Cat

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Monash Institute of Medical Engineering: From bedside to bench to business
Thu, 20 Nov at 12:30 pm Monash Institute of Medical Engineering: From bedside to bench to business

Monash University (American Consulate Building), Conference Room 1 & 2

BUSINESS
Jessie Murph in Melbourne
Thu, 20 Nov at 06:30 pm Jessie Murph in Melbourne

Forum Melbourne

BUSINESS CONCERTS
Heavy Fest #4  THE MIDNIGHT DEVILS  (USA) Cherry Bar, THURS NOV 20th
Thu, 20 Nov at 07:00 pm Heavy Fest #4 THE MIDNIGHT DEVILS (USA) Cherry Bar, THURS NOV 20th

Cherry Bar, Little Collins Street, Melbourne VIC, Australia

ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVALS
Launch Your Own Successful AI App | AI Startup | Workshop 2025
Tue, 30 Apr at 01:00 pm Launch Your Own Successful AI App | AI Startup | Workshop 2025

Regus Office

BUSINESS WORKSHOPS
Gary Brecka \u2013 The Ultimate Human LIVE [MELBOURNE]
Wed, 01 Oct at 09:00 am Gary Brecka – The Ultimate Human LIVE [MELBOURNE]

The Plenary - Melbourne Convention Centre

HEALTH-WELLNESS
Melbourne Disability Connection Expo 2025, Sponsored by Blossom Community Care
Fri, 03 Oct at 12:00 am Melbourne Disability Connection Expo 2025, Sponsored by Blossom Community Care

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)

EXHIBITIONS BUSINESS
Romance Author & Reader Events presents RARE25Melbourne
Fri, 03 Oct at 11:30 pm Romance Author & Reader Events presents RARE25Melbourne

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)

ART LITERARY-ART
2025 Melbourne Property Expo - Oct 4-5 (FREE ENTRY)
Sat, 04 Oct at 10:00 am 2025 Melbourne Property Expo - Oct 4-5 (FREE ENTRY)

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)

EXHIBITIONS BUSINESS
National Self Advocacy Day
Wed, 08 Oct at 10:00 am National Self Advocacy Day

Multicultural Hub

PAX Aus 2025
Fri, 10 Oct at 12:00 am PAX Aus 2025

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)

TOURNAMENTS BUSINESS
CIVIC
Fri, 10 Oct at 10:00 am CIVIC

The Night Cat

Sprinkler Fitters Gathering (Melbourne)
Mon, 13 Oct at 12:00 am Sprinkler Fitters Gathering (Melbourne)

Donkey Wheel House

MEETUPS
Access 2025 Conference - Universal Design \u2013 Inclusive Futures
Mon, 13 Oct at 08:00 am Access 2025 Conference - Universal Design – Inclusive Futures

Melbourne Town Hall

BUSINESS CONFERENCES
Anti-corruption Commissions Conference (In-person event)
Mon, 13 Oct at 09:00 am Anti-corruption Commissions Conference (In-person event)

Deakin Downtown

BUSINESS CONFERENCES
"UNTHINKABLE" OCTOBER 2025 - MELBOURNE
Thu, 16 Oct at 11:00 pm "UNTHINKABLE" OCTOBER 2025 - MELBOURNE

Melbourne

WORKSHOPS

What's Happening Next in Melbourne?

Discover Melbourne Events