4.7.3 Growing Researchers through National Professional Gifted Associations
If the teaching profession is dependent on research to provide evidence to inform practice, what is the role of national gifted associations in developing their members as researchers and in disseminating gifted and talented education research to the community? An interim report will be presented on a research project that used a questionnaire, website, and social media review to explore the intentional and aspirational values and activities relating to research in the field of gifted and talented education that national professional associations embrace and promote. A renewed focus on research as a key purpose and function of national associations, in support of both their members and the field, is an intended outcome of this study.
Author(s):
Lesley Henderson
lesley.henderson@flinders.edu.au
Flinders University
Australia
Lesley is a lecturer and researcher at Flinders University in the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work. She coordinates postgraduate courses in Gifted Education and works with all sectors of schooling in South Australia to develop and deliver professional learning for educators. Leadership for professional learning in gifted education is the focus of her doctoral research thesis which has been submitted for examination. Lesley is the President of the Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented.
Tracy Riley
T.L.Riley@massey.ac.nz
Massey University
New Zealand
Tracy is the Dean, Research and Associate Professor at Massey University; the Secretary for the WCGTC; a Director of SENG; and Acting Treasurer of giftEDnz. Tracy has led gifted education teaching and research at Massey since 1996, developing the first university-based qualifications in NZ and the Specialist Teaching qualifications endorsed in gifted. She is on the editorial boards of APEX, Gifted and Talented International, and the Australasian Journal of Gifted Education. Tracy is also the recipient of the 2017 Te Manu Kotoku award for her services to gifted education and is a 2007 Ako Aotearoa Tertiary Teaching Excellence winner.