This webinar asks four critical scholars to reflect on what it means to engage in "critical" policy-based research in education. For example, what does it mean to engage in "critique" or adopt a "critical disposition"? What does "being critical" look like in practice? How are "critical researchers" responding to shifting theoretical, methodological and empirical contexts?

This seminar will inspire debate about these questions and more by bringing together researchers with diverse histories and investments in critical research. Each presenter will have “1000 words” and “one image” to reflect on what critical research means to them and what they see as key challenges for researchers seeking to adopt a critical research disposition. Audience discussion and Q&A will follow.

Overview of presenters:

Helen M. Gunter is Professor of Education Policy at the University of Manchester, UK. Her research focuses on the politics of education policy in regard to knowledge production.

Glenn C. Savage is a policy sociologist with expertise in education reform. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia where he is Director of the Education, Policy, Leadership and Practice Research Group.

Belinda (Bee) Hughes is a Senior Tutor in Education leadership and policy at the Manchester Institute of Education. Her research interests centre on critical policy studies, school leadership and the writings of Hannah Arendt.

Jacob Broom is a PhD candidate in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Western Australia. His research explores political economies of social policy, currently focussing on the proliferation of social impact bonds in Australia.

The session will be moderated by Professor Tanya Fitzgerald (Graduate School of Education, UWA). It is co-hosted by the University of Western Australia’s ‘Education Policy, Leadership and Practice Research Group’ and the University of Manchester’s 'Critical Education Policy' group.

This seminar is free and open to the public, but you must register (via the green 'Register' button). Once registered, a Zoom link will be sent to you prior to the event.