Collaboration for Educational Change in Aotearoa / NZ
About
Collaboration for Educational Change in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Connecting Knowledge, Policy and Practice in Times of Curriculum Reform
The School of Education is delighted to invite you to a seminar with visiting scholar Professor Susannah Stevens, Head of School of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment at the University of Christchurch/Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha.
Drawing on her experience in national curriculum reform, professional association leadership, university leadership and government advisory work, Professor Stevens will explore how educational reform is shaped through collaboration between governments, universities, professional organisations, schools and communities.
The hybrid seminar will focus on “boundary-spanning” – the ways individuals and organisations connect research, policy and practice, translating and applying knowledge across institutional and professional contexts. It will consider why curriculum reform is rarely linear, and how relationships, trust and collaboration influence the way educational knowledge is mobilised and enacted.
The presentation will also explore how researchers can contribute to policy development while maintaining scholarly integrity and public relevance, and consider implications for future partnerships between universities, governments, schools and communities.
About Professor Susannah Stevens
Professor Susannah Stevens is a leading researcher, advisor and curriculum reformer whose work explores the connections between movement, learning and well-being. She has played a significant role in curriculum reform in Aotearoa New Zealand and works with schools, government agencies, professional organisations and international bodies. Her expertise spans physical education, child well-being, human development and Olympic studies, with a strong focus on influencing policy and practice.Key takeaways
Participants will gain insights into:
- Curriculum reform as relational work – the importance of trusted relationships with colleagues, leaders, families and communities in translating policy into meaningful practice.
- The value of boundary-spanning – how connecting research, policy and practice can help make educational reform both evidence-informed and practically achievable.
- Connecting knowledge to action – how collaborative leadership, trusted relationships and effective partnerships can support sustainable educational change.
For information about upcoming Professional Learning opportunities, follow the ECU School of Education LinkedIn page.
Dates
Wednesday 11 November 2026 (UTC+08)Location
ECU City Campus (and online via TEAMS)
Yagan North Entrance , Building 1N, Room 550, Perth WA 6000