Professor Roger Harris

In my (now) Emeritus Professor role, I am a member of the Centre for Research in Education, and of the Professorial Group in the School of Education. My professional activities include research projects, research supervision, journal editing (International Journal of Training Research), international journal reviewing, and Academic Board work for two private Higher Education Providers (Chair of one) - all of which help to keep me up-to-date on current educational issues. My keen career interest in research has gradually evolved after fulfilling roles in teaching, program coordination, school administration, and several international consultancies for the university. Apart from teaching across several programs and supervising masters and doctoral candidates, for many years I was the Director of CREEW (Centre for Research in Education, Equity and Work), which became a recognised UniSA Research Centre, from 1993 to 2011, and attained a high national and international reputation for its research particularly in post-secondary education before it was subsumed within the Hawke Research Institute. 

I thoroughly enjoy research, publishing, editing and reviewing. I believe in the importance of knowledge dissemination, and strive to distribute findings through as many channels as possible in forms appropriate for different audiences. I have supervised 31 higher degree candidates to completion, and examined 34 theses for other universities. My expertise in mixed methods research is evidenced by the high number of research grants from a wide range of funding agencies, including ANTARAC/NREC/NVETR, ARC, and State and Federal Governments. I have been responsible for, or assisted as a team member in, winning over 70 research grants, totalling over A$5m, have authored over 200 publications, and continue to be active in presenting at national and international conferences. At a more strategic level, my experience/expertise has been confirmed in high-level appointments to the SA Training and Skills Commission (3 years), director of the national consortium, Supporting VET providers in building capability for the future (3 years), and program leader for Education and Training in the CRC for Rail Innovation (7 years). Activities that have maintained my close connections with the field include editing the Australian Journal of Adult Learning (for 22 years), currently co-editing the International Journal of Training Research, and active membership of the professional association, AVETRA. The quality of my research has been recognised by three inaugural awards: ‘VET Researcher of the Year’ at the National Training Awards Ceremony (2008); Ray Barker Award for Distinguished Service to VET Research (2006) and Distinguished Scholar, Division of EASS Research Awards (2006). I also received life membership of both the Australian College of Educators (in 2006) and Adult Learning Australia (in 2011), and was appointed a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators (in 2009).

Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA): Executive member (2014-); Co-Editor of its journal (2013-); Vice-President (2002-2003); Convenor of National Conference (2001); member of Convening Committee for National Conference (2008); member (since it began in 1996).   Adult Learning Australia and its predecessors: member since 1975; National Editor 1990 to 2012.   Australian College of Education: member since 1974, Life Member since 2006, Fellow since 2009

Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy The University of Adelaide

• Diploma of Education The University of Adelaide

• Graduate Certificate in TESOL Tabor Collegue Incorporated

• Bachelor of Arts The University of Adelaide

• Diploma of Teaching (Technical) South Australian College of Advanced Education

• Fellow of the Australian College of Education Australian College of Education