Exploring "Education Catalysts" at the 39th WAIER Research Forum 2024 

On Saturday, 17th August 2024, the Western Australian Institute for Educational Research (WAIER) hosted its 39th Annual Research Forum at the University of Notre Dame. Since its inception in 1986, this key event has served as a cornerstone for educational research in Western Australia, providing a platform for educators, researchers, and policymakers to engage in meaningful dialogue and share insights on the future of education. This year’s Forum, centered around the theme "Education Catalyst(s)," explored the driving forces behind change in education today. 

The Forum brought together a community of participants from various educational sectors across the state, including schools and universities.  WAIER’s commitment to fostering a collaborative environment was evident as both emerging and established researchers had the opportunity to present their findings, build collegial networks, and contribute to ongoing discussions on educational challenges and opportunities. 

This year’s WAIER Research Forum commenced with a dynamic panel discussion, featuring a distinguished lineup of experts who delved into both global and local issues in education research and what it means to be an "Education Catalyst." The panel included Dr. Cheryl Kickett-Tucker AM, an esteemed Noongar academic from Curtin University, known for her advocacy and dedication to Aboriginal self-determination; Dr. Julian Chen, an applied linguist and innovator in technology-enhanced language education also from Curtin University; Dr. Mathilda Joubert from Sheridan Institute of Higher Education, a leader in creativity and innovation in education; and Dr. Greg Thompson from Queensland University of Technology, whose research focuses on education policy, assessment, and the impact of teacher workload. Their collective insights provided a thought-provoking exploration of the catalysts driving change in education. 

The event concluded with the presentation of a range of awards, marking a fitting end to a day of discussions and research. As a supporter of WAIER, the Fogarty Foundation is proud to sponsor the WAIER-Fogarty Foundation Postgraduate Student Research Prize. This prize aims to support educational researchers studying at an approved higher education institution conducting research relevant to early childhood, primary, secondary or tertiary education. Due to the outstanding quality of applications, this year's Award was shared by two recipients; Tahnee West and Sophia Karangaroa. The recipients were recognised for their outstanding work to date, and in support of their research in the field of education.  Tahnee will be expanding her work into the effects of mentoring on girls' attitudes towards STEM and Sophia will be looking into Indigenous self-determination for Noongar and Māori university students. 

’I am so grateful to Fogarty Foundation and WAIER for the funding they have provided me through the Postgraduate Student Research Prize. Because of this funding, I will now be able to travel to the National Mentoring Summit in Washington DC in January 2025, where I have been invited to present my PhD research into the effects of mentoring on girls' attitudes towards STEM. I have a passion for spreading the word about the issues females face in engaging with STEM careers and study, so this is a particularly exciting opportunity for me.’ 

Tahnee West, 2024 Fogarty Foundation Postgraduate Research Prize