Research
Domain 04
Intercultural Education
The Barker Institute is undertaking research projects that will provide research-informed practical advice and guidance to educational practitioners and leaders about intercultural learning and understanding.
Our Purpose
Rationale
The capability of students to learn about and engage with diverse cultures in ways that recognise commonalities and differences, create connections with others and cultivate mutual respect is an essential part of living with others in the diverse world of the 21st century. An increasingly culturally diverse student population, together with the school’s commitment to Indigenous Education, is shaping an educational environment where intercultural learning and understanding can be explicitly valued, and directly and indirectly taught with greater intentionality.
This presents an opportunity for further investigation into how intercultural learning and understanding can help prepare young people for life, citizenship and employment in multicultural societies and in a globalised world. Through the Barker Institute’s research in this domain, Barker can help education systems rethink goals, content and methods with a focus on the kinds of human beings that schools are educating and the kinds of societies – open, cohesive, respectful and supportive – that are valued.
Research Questions
- How can intercultural learning and understanding help prepare young people for life, citizenship and employment in multicultural societies and in a globalised world?
- How might schools measure the development of intercultural competency and intelligence in an effective manner?
- How might the diversity of world languages, cultures and thinking be integrated into teaching in such a way as to inspire every learner?
Selected Projects & Writings
- Home languages and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) project
- Refugee education project
- My Two Blankets: considering the importance of using home languages in today’s classroom in support of student learning and wellbeing (2020) – Timothy Scott
- The untended garden: Reflections on designing and implementing a teaching and learning framework within a coeducational, international school context (2019) – Timothy Scott
- Rader, D 2015, Teaching and Learning for Intercultural Understanding: Engaging young hearts and minds. Routledge: London and New York.
- Lo Bianco, J. and Aronin, L., (2020), Dominant Language Constellations: A Perspective on Present-day Multilingualism. Dordrecht, NL: Springer
- Nisbett, Richard (2003). The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differently...and Why. New York, NY: Free Press
Publications
International Human Rights Under Pressure - What can Barker do?
Patricia Garcia AO, international human rights advocate and Partnership Development Manager at the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), opened the final Barker Institute event for 2023. The IEP is an independent global think tank that aims to create a paradigm shift in the way the world thinks about peace. It undertakes innovative research, including a study of Education and Peace which the IEP is producing for the World Bank and Global Partnership for Education this year. Reflecting on her personal and professional experiences, Garcia presented a call to action in support of the idea of education not just as a human right but as an enabling right. She emphasised the role of schools in helping to shape a more peaceful world. The focus of schools on things like tolerance for difference and appreciation of cultural diversity are also great examples of how education is a significant contributor to peace.
- Dr Timothy Scott, with Bianca and Lachlan (Social Justice Captains)
- 10 November 2023
Publication of the 6th Edition of Learning in Practice: The Barker Institute Journal
Publishing the close-to-practice research that takes place within the Barker community is an important part of the Barker Institute’s role within the school. We are keen to share what has been learnt by experts in education, be those expert classroom practitioners, pastoral care and wellbeing leaders, or school leaders. Learning in Practice is a published conversation in which reflections on practice take place, and professional learning and development benefit.
- Dr Timothy Scott, Dr Matthew Hill
- 20 February 2023
AARE Conference 2022 – Transforming the Future of Education: The Role of Research
The Barker Institute was represented at the Australian Association of Research in Education (AARE) Conference in Adelaide last week including a presentation on the first four years of the Barker Journey. I had the opportunity to attend sessions on all four days of the conference on topics related to our Research Agenda before our own presentation on the final day.
- Dr Matthew Hill
- 05 December 2022
When you see your educational research put to good use
Understanding transition period in student cultural development
- 20 October 2022
The Geography of Thought - Book review
Understanding the evolution of philosophies through the worldviews of geographical regions
- 27 February 2022
Research for Learning Community – Research Forum
A brief introduction to the Barker Research for Learning Community
- 01 June 2021