Davina joined NZCER in July 2023 and is working on primary science assessment and resources projects (Curriculum Insights and Progress Study; ARBs), various surveys, and evaluations of professional development programmes for teachers and school leaders. She is also involved in NZCERs administrative role in the Teaching and Learning Research Initiative (TLRI) and sits on the review panel of the Otago Participatory Science Platform and Advisory Group for the TEU Tiakina Te Taiao | Climate Action Network.
Davina’s research interests include:
- Science and climate change education
- Environmental education for sustainability
- Place-based and community-engaged learning
- Experiential learning and systems thinking
- Inclusive teaching practices
- Professional learning and development
Davina has experience across the education sector from early childhood to tertiary and adult education; as Director of a PLD provider, and Co-Director of her own consultancy, PLD facilitator, classroom teacher, outside the classroom educator, resource developer, researcher and project manager. She has held roles on strategic and technical advisory groups and governance boards.
Prior to this, Davina was a conservation ecologist, during which time she developed her passion for systems thinking and experiential learning.
Qualifications:
- Master of Teaching and Learning (Distinction)
- Grad. Dip. Arts (Education, Distinction)
- Postgrad. Dip. Science (Wildlife Management, Distinction)
- BSc (Zoology)
Research projects that I’m currently leading:
- Teaching and Learning Research Initiative (TLRI)
Recent external publications:
- Stewart, G., Eames, E., Hipkins, R., Cheng, M., Birdsall, S., Buntting, C., Carpendale, J., Edwards, R., Hunt, D. and Swanson, C. What's the Future for Science in the New Zealand Curriculum? NZ J Educ Stud (2024).
- Bolstad, R., Hunt, D., Li, M., Mazengarb, J. and Denzler, M. (2024) Feedback report – mathematics and statistics years 0-8 learning area. NZCER.