The Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne

19/10/2026

Young people who are neurodivergent or have disability can experience social isolation during hospital care.

New UniMelb research, led by Associate Research Fellow Jess Rowlings, has secured National Disability Research Partnership - NDRP funding for ‘Playing Together: Creating moments of social connection in hospital care through digital play.'

This project, supported by researchers from The Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne, will pilot a safe, supported online Minecraft program in partnership with Reframing Autism and The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne.

Building on learnings from Next Level Collaboration, this project aims to develop practical insights into how digital play can foster authentic social connections, strengthen a sense of belonging and support positive engagement.

🔗 Learn more → https://unimelb.me/47VmgU1

13/10/2026

When governments decide whether to fund a new bike path or create a park in a growing suburb, they typically focus on travel-related benefits—saving travel time, less reliance on cars and avoiding accidents 🚴🏼‍♀️

New research from the University of Melbourne and University of Sydney has placed an economic value on eudaimonic wellbeing, recommending this calculation be recognised in appraisal guidelines for transport policy and planning.

🔗 Read more → https://unimelb.me/4etc9cG

09/10/2026

How do we start rethinking schools to meet students' needs?

In this episode of Talking Teaching, Dr Sophie Specjal PhD is joined by Professor Sharon Goldfeld AM, Paediatrician and Director of Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI), and Professor Jon Quach from the Faculty of Education, to discuss the need for intersectionality between research, education and children's wellbeing to create a stronger, more connected support network.

Learn more → https://unimelb.me/4b5eZ67

04/10/2026

What does it mean to stand with teachers in a rapidly changing world?

This World Teachers' Day marks 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures. For Professor Biesta, championing teachers means recognising them as professionals with the freedom, judgement and agency to shape education itself.

In anticipation of his keynote at UNESCO in Paris, we’re looking back at his conversation on Talking Teaching with Dr Sophie Specjal on the Purpose of Education.

Stream Talking Teaching → https://unimelb.me/4AIr78j

02/10/2026

From formal institutions to social media, education is an important part of our lives, but understanding how to use that knowledge is key to shaping the future of Melbourne’s educational environment.

Dean Marek Tesar talks about the importance of learning not only from formal institutions, but by listening to young people who are shaping our future city right now.

Tap through to read more → https://unimelb.me/4hnIeop

30/09/2026

29/09/2026

2026 marks 60 years since Professor Kwong Lee Dow first became a senior lecturer.

Across six decades, Professor Lee Dow has shown extraordinary leadership to the University of Melbourne, Faculty of Education and beyond.

A testament to his knowledge of complex educational systems and deep care of community, Kwong has continuously improved education on all fronts.

It is only fitting that he is the namesake of a building where future teachers and educators learn and study, and the University’s Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars program—a two-year academic and enrichment program for talented high school students from across Victoria.

Congratulations and thank you Professor Lee Dow for your remarkable 60 years of service to UniMelb.

24/09/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 Dean's Honours List and Staff Excellence and Honorary Contribution Awards recipients 👏🏼

The Dean's Honours List reflects the top three percent of students at the Faculty of Education, while the Staff Excellence and Honorary Contribution Awards recognise academic and professional staff whose dedication, expertise and leadership strengthen education within the Faculty and beyond.

We're incredibly proud of the extraordinary talent across our Faculty.

Discover the full list of recipients: https://unimelb.me/4hjaLKn

22/09/2026

School leaders are faced with tough conversations everyday with very little room to make mistakes.

A new UniMelb project, led by Dr Donnie Adams from the Faculty of Education, provides aspiring leaders the opportunity to practice communication skills in an immersive, virtual reality experience.

Closing the gap between theoretical learning and real-world experience, future school leaders virtually step into scenarios with parents, stakeholders and school boards to practice conversation, receive feedback and build confidence in a risk-free setting.

Learn more → https://unimelb.me/4hoE0M3

16/09/2026

New research has found that children who receive two years of funded kindergarten, compared to one, have an additional five-months of progress in language development and two to three-months of progress in memory and problem-solving skills by the time they begin school.

The initial findings from the Educational and Developmental Gains in Early Childhood (EDGE) Study provide some of the first Australian evidence on the impact of two years of quality early learning prior to formal schooling.

Led by The University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Education in partnership with The Front Project and supported by the Department of Education, Victoria. Funded by the Paul Ramsay Foundation and The The Ian Potter Foundation.

Tap through to learn more → https://unimelb.me/4h8qLPc