From the President

Dear AARE Members

I’d like to welcome all new and returning members to AARE. It is a tremendous privilege to begin my term as President of the Association. I look forward to meeting many of you throughout the year and hope to see you at our annual conference in Newcastle (November 29-December 4).

The year is already shaping up to be an important one for educational researchers and the education sector broadly, with several policy reforms nearing implementation and a forthcoming election. The field of education, covering everything from early childhood education through to tertiary, vocational and community education, has faced significant upheavals in recent years. There are now some decisive points for renewal and need for the Association to take a leading role in marking out those directions.

Education remains high on the federal government’s agenda with reform across the spectrum, from a consequential shift in the funding of childcare to reform of research funding agencies, schools, the VET sector, and universities with recent reviews of Teacher Education and the Universities Accord. That spirit of renewal will generate a range of opportunities on our shared horizon, a chance to support our members to contribute to public debate and for the Association itself to take a leading role. This is a moment to not only continue the kind of research which responds to existing challenges in our field but also continue to expand our research to address what is possible and what is needed – to tackle the here and now but also reimagine our collective futures. The decadal plan for AARE, which is a focus this year, will be critical.

The demand for knowledge in our field is already high and will only accelerate with the latest changes to our sector’s environment, including AI. Intellectually, it’s an exciting time. The key to being able to build on that excitement is the strength of our Association and the contributions of our members. We are facing important challenges as a research field, including addressing priorities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and achieving greater equity in all education sectors. But these are challenges we can contribute to turning around.

It’s imperative we use the federal election as a time for informed and respectful discussion across the political spectrum of what matters in our sectors. Such debate is essential if we are to deliver the kind of education we want for all young people, while taking account of our history and resetting the future for Australia. Your expertise, advocacy and engagement are necessary and, within the Association, always welcome.

Thank you for your interest in and membership of AARE and your contributions to the life of the Association. I’m looking forward to hearing from you over the course of my term.

Warm regards,

Laureate Professor Jenny Gore AM (President)