Robyn Baker, Director - NZCER
NZCER's Director - Robyn Baker
Robyn Baker has been the director of the New Zealand Council for Educational Research since 2000. Her leadership includes building the research and development programme, strategic direction and business development. She has led the organisation's investment in innovative research-based products and services, such as the gradual revision of all the Progressive Achievements Tests (PATs). Robyn is involved in research projects at the conceptual level and also leads the management of the Teaching and Learning Research Initiative (TLRI), a government education research fund managed by NZCER. Robyn is a board member of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and is chair of the Education committee for the Royal Society of New Zealand.
NZCER researchers work in teams on a range of projects. Areas of interest and expertise include curriculum and assessment, workplace learning, Maori education, building school and teacher professional capability, and teaching and learning.
NZCER's work has a particular focus on:
- addressing underachievement
- assessment and test development
- programme evaluation
- policy evaluation.
NZCER is extending the scope of its work by undertaking a number of collaborative research ventures with individuals, agencies, and institutions with expertise that complements that of NZCER. The strategy is aimed at assisting NZCER's work in its priority areas, while also enriching the education research community.
Advice
Staff provide authoritative comment and information on educational issues by:
- presenting and writing papers
- contributing to a number of national advisory committees and working parties
- providing seminars
- evaluating educational programmes and initiatives
- presenting at the annual NZCER conference.
Publishing
The publication of quality reports, resources, and information is a critical vehicle for the dissemination of research, information, and commentary. Teachers and other educators continue to view set: Research Information for Teachers as essential reading and the number of subscriptions for this journal increases year by year. NZCER provides a wide range of research-based resources by publishing not only the work of NZCER staff, but also that of other researchers.