Rachel Bolstad

Kaihautū Rangahau | Chief Researcher

Rachel is a Kaihautū Rangahau | Chief Researcher at NZCER. Her work in education research is driven by an endless curiosity about the world and a strong commitment to better educational experiences and outcomes for all learners, as well as teachers, families, and communities.  Rachel constantly strives to develop her own, and other people's thinking about education, why it matters, and how our learning and teaching systems may need to change to match the opportunities and demands of a changing world. She enjoys working in teams and drawing inspiration and influence from a wide range of fields, in particular the creative arts. 

Rachel's current work programme includes leading a research project to explore systemic educational responses to climate change. She has previously led several research projects on environmental education and education for sustainability.

Her other research interests include local curriculum design, students' experiences of education, game-based learning, and future-oriented education. Her first digital game, Curriculum for the Future, was launched in 2016.

Publications

Schools are excited about localising the Aotearoa NZ histories curriculum – and so are we Blog post 2024
Decolonising our approaches to educational research—Learning from our shared experiences at Rangahau Mātauranga o Aotearoa (NZCER) Research publication 2024
Mana Ora: Students Decarbonising Schools evaluation Research publication 2024
Ki te ako āhuarangi tōnui ki Aotearoa | Towards flourishing climate education in Aotearoa New Zealand Research publication 2024
He Kaponga Arotake: Evaluation of the Balanced Scorecard approaches by Springboard Trust Research publication 2024
Responsibilities, expectations, and learning: What do Boards of Trustees need to know about climate transitions? Blog post 2023
Evaluation of Kia Takatū ā-Matihiko, National Digital Readiness programme Research publication 2023
Fronting up to the challenges for education in a climate-changed Aotearoa Blog post 2023
Where's education in the Climate Change Commission’s second (draft) package of advice? Blog post 2023
Climate Justice: Why does it matter? Research briefing 5 Research publication 2022
Springboard Trust Strategic Leadership for Principals Programme: Gaining insight into the experiences of Māori leaders and capacity partners Research publication 2022
Is education part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s national (climate) adaptation plan? Blog post 2022
What does the Climate Change Commission’s report say about education? Blog post 2021
Connecting climate change with place and culture: Research briefing 4 Research publication 2021
The Climate Change Commission updated its advice – what does it say about education now? Blog post 2021
Schools' carbon footprint pilot: Final report Research publication 2021
The Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) – a guide for busy educators Blog post 2021
Was education on the agenda at COP26? Blog post 2021
Climate change: What can schools do? Research briefing 1 Research publication 2021
Leadership and school-wide climate responses: Research briefing 2 Research publication 2021