ACU Researcher

Dr Rachel Perry

Lecturer
National School of Education

Areas of expertise: initial teacher education; professional experience; employment based pathways; literacy; arts education (drama); theory-practice connection

Phone: 02 9701 4237

Email: rachel.perry@acu.edu.au

Location: ACU Strathfield Campus

ORCID ID: 0009-0002-2754-7121

ORCID link: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2754-7121

Dr Rachel Perry is a Lecturer in the National School of Education. She has experience as a Primary teacher and school leader, bringing to her academic role a background in professional experience, literacy, arts education, teacher professional learning, and supporting the connection between research and classroom practice. Rachel has managed research partnerships and worked in academic and industry research. Her research focuses on enhancing the connection between knowledge and practice, with a particular focus on school-embedded and employment based models of teacher education. Current projects are exploring the active ingredients in these pathways and the implications for supporting pre-service teachers including the growth of professional identity effectively applying theory to practice. She is also exploring the barriers and enablers for the translation of knowledge to practice for teachers participating in a microcredential on early reading instruction. Parallel to this, Rachel continues to consider the role of digital pedagogies and the impact of new and emerging technologies to enhance learning and engagement.

Select publications

• Kearney, M., Schuck, S., Fergusson, J., & Perry, R. (2024) Effective practices during emergency school lockdowns: shared experiences of four Australian schools. Australian Educational Researcher. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-022-00588-3

• Kearney, M., Schuck, S., Fergusson, J. & Perry, R. (2021). Digital learning practices during remote learning and beyond: A case study of four schools. Sydney, Australia: Association of Independent Schools New South Wales. https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/handle/10453/151071

• Maher, D., Schuck, S., & Perry, R. (2017). Investigating Knowledge Exchange amongst School Teachers, University Teacher Educators and Industry Partners. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 42(3). https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2017v42n3.5

• Perry, R., & McGarry, T. (2017). Through a lens of reinterpretation: Roles in facilitated action research. In Rowell, L L.., Bruce, C. D., Shosh, J. M., & Riel, M. M. (Eds.) Palgrave International Handbook of Action Research. USA: Palgrave MacMillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-40523-4_36

• Schuck, S., Maher, D., & Perry, R. (2016). Moving Classrooms to Third Space Learning: What happens when a Surface is put into a teacher's hands? Sydney, Australia: Microsoft White Paper. https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/edu-moving-classrooms-to-third-space-learning.pdf

• Perry, R., Currie, J., Maher, D., & Johnston, R. (2014). Perceptions of the Hospital School Experience. The International Journal of Learning: Annual Review Vol 20 pp9-21. https://doi.org/10.18848/1447-9494/CGP/v20/48729

Projects

• Perry, R., McGarry, T. & De Cesare, E. (2015-16) Philanthropic Grant: Crown Casinos Foundation ($33500) - Project Title: Monkey Baa Arts Ed Project: Western Sydney

• Perry, R., McGarry, T., & Eldridge, S. (2013) Philanthropic Grant: Tim Fairfax Family Foundation ($191000) - Project Title: Monkey Baa Arts Ed Project: Crossing the Line

• Perry, R., Johnston, R. & Van Leuven, B. (2013) Sydney Opera House: NBN Digital Program Evaluation ($38500) - Project Title: Evaluation of the NBN Digital Program - 'From Bennelong to the Nation'

• Perry, R., Pressick-Kilborn, K., & Kearney, M. (2012) UTS Vice Chancellor's Learning & Teaching Grant ($2500) - Project Title: Extending Spaces for Engagement - the Connected Classroom in Drama and Science

• Perry, R. & Johnston, R. (2012) Sydney Opera House: Open House Project Contract Research ($10000) - Project Title: Evaluation of the Open House Project

• Perry, R (2012) UTS Vice Chancellor's Learning 2014 Grant ($8000) - Project Title: Exploring Connected Learning Spaces in Higher Education

• Perry, R., McGarry, T., & Eldridge, S (2012) Philanthropic Grant: Tim Fairfax Family Foundation ($14000) - Project Title: Monkey Baa Arts Ed Project: Crossing the Line

• Perry, R., & Kearney, M. (2011) UTS Vice Chancellor's Learning & Teaching Grant ($2200) - Project Title: New Forms of Children's Theatre: Alternative Spaces for Engagement

• Perry, R., Johnston, R., McGarry, T., & Eldridge, S. (2011) Philanthropic Grant: Tim Fairfax Family Foundation ($41000) - Project Title: Monkey Baa Arts Ed Project: Crossing the Line

• Perry, R. & Johnston, R. (2011) Children's Champions: Mission Australia Contract Research ($19000) - Project Title: Mt Druitt Children's Champions Project: Community Action Research

• Maher, D., Perry, R., & Currie, J. (2011) Hospital Schools Association Research Funding ($1700) - Project Title: Kids Continually Connected

Appointments and Affiliations

• Australian Teacher Education Association: Executive Committee Member - Employment based Pathways and School Based Teacher Educators (2024 to present)

• University of Sydney: Honorary Research Fellow, School of Education and Social Work (2022 to present)

• Alphacrucis University College Research Committee (2023-July 2024)

• AISNSW Growing and Nurturing Educators (GANE) Committee (2022-2023)

• AISNSW Educational Research Committee (2019-2023)

• Bell Shakespeare - Invited Member - Education Advisory Panel (2014-2015)

• Association of Research in Education - Post-graduate and Early Career Researcher Executive Committee member (2004)

• Educational Drama Association of NSW (EDA) - State Conference Committee, Primary Teachers' Workshop Coordinator (2003)

• Member - Higher Education Research and Development Association (HERDSA)

• Member - Australian Association of Research in Education (AARE)

• Member - Australian Teacher Education Association (ATEA)

• Member - Primary English Teaching Association Australia (PETAA)