Professor Ian Falk

BA/TSTC, BEd, MEd, PhD

Deputy Director of the Learning Research Group, Education Researcher

contact details

phone

Mobile

Fax

           +61 8 8946 6051

             0447801831

            08 8946 6151

email

           ian.falk@cdu.edu.au

address

School of Education, Faculty   of Education, Health and Science

Charles Darwin University
Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, 0909

 http://www.cdu.edu.au/centres/spil/whoweare.html

Research interests

Ian's expertise includes:

§         Learning, adult learning, learning communities

§         Sociology and rural sociology

§         Regional and community development, community capacity building

§         Social capital

§         Identity

§         Literacy

§         Vocational Education and Training

§         Policy processes and relationship with research

§         Leadership

§         Schools relationships with their communities

§         Indigenous education

Publications

Books & research reports

1. Falk, I., Gerber, R & Catts, R. (forthcoming Oct 2007). Situated, self-directed knowing and learning in Vocational Education and Training. Berlin: Springer.
2. Falk, I. (in preparation). Identity crisis: What every manager and leader must know. Publisher to be determined.
3. Falk, I. (in preparation). Identity and social capital. Publisher to be determined.
4. Falk, I. with Kral, I. (2003). What is all the learning for? Indigenous adult English literacy practices, training, community capacity and health. SA: NCVER
5. Falk, I. & Guenther, J. (2002). Literacy and numeracy for the new world of un/employment: Implications of a fully literate Australia. Melbourne: Language Australia.
6. Falk, I. (Ed.) (2002). Workplace communication: Making language, literacy and numeracy in Training Packages work. Melbourne: Language Australia.
   Falk, I. (Ed.) (2001). Learning to manage change: Developing rural communities for a local-global millennium. South Australia: NCVER.
7. Falk, I. & Guenther, J. (1999). Community Trust Survey. Launceston: CRLRA, University of Tasmania
8. Falk, I. & Guenther, J. (1999). Measuring trust and community capacity: Social capital for the common good. Launceston: CRLRA, University of Tasmania
9. Falk, I., Golding, B. & Balatti, J. (2000). Building communities: ACE, lifelong learning and social capital. Melbourne: Language Australia Pty Ltd. And at http://www.acfe.vic.gov.au/publications/building%20communities/.
10. Falk, I. (Ed.). (2000). Lifelong learning: Literacy, schooling and the adult world. Melbourne: Language Australia.

Chapters

1. Falk, I. & Wallace, R. (2007 forthcoming). Social capital, higher education and policy performance. Chapter in G. Woolcock (Ed.). Social capital and social justice. From ASSA Workshop 19-21 July 2006.
2. Falk, I. (2007 forthcoming). Identity, Agency and Engagement in VET Learning. Chapter in Falk, I., Gerber, R & Catts, R. (Eds.), Situated, self-directed knowing and learning in Vocational Education and Training. Berlin: Springer.
3. Falk, I. & Knight, S. (forthcoming 2007). What should count as evidence for effective, situated policy? Chapter in M. Osborne, Sankey, K., & Wilson, B. (Eds.), Researching Social Capital, Lifelong Learning Regions and the Management of Place: an international perspective. London: Routledge Taylor Francis.
4. Falk, I. (Forthcoming 2006). Effective leadership: Designing and implementing leadership interventions. Chapter in Researching educational leadership: Perspectives, values and ethics. Eds. W Newton & L Kydd, London: Open University Press.
5. Falk, I. (2006). Essence of engagement: Social capital in workplace learning. Chapter in Workplace learning. Eds. R Gerber & G. Castelton, NY: Nova Science Publishers Inc.
6. Falk, I. & Millar, P. (2002). Evaluating literacy and numeracy in Training Packages: An evaluation framework and some issues. In Workplace communication: Making language, literacy and numeracy in Training Packages work, pp. 101-123, Melbourne: Language Australia.
7. Falk, I. (2001). Challenges facing rural regional Australia in new times. In Falk, I. (Ed.). Learning to manage change: Developing rural communities for a local-global millennium. Chapter 1, pp. 3-12. South Australia: NCVER.
8. Falk, I. (with MacManamey, Falk, Bruce and others). (2001). Newspapers and health centres: Selected short stories of community development case studies. In Falk, I. (Ed.). Learning to manage change: Developing rural communities for a local-global millennium. Chapter 22, pp. 201-220. South Australia: NCVER.
9. Falk, I. (with Kingma, O.). (2001). Learning to manage change in communities: A way forward. Chapter 24, pp. 233-245.
10. Falk, I. (2001). Sleight of hand: Job myths, literacy and social capital. In J. Lo Bianco & R. Wickert (Eds.). Australian policy activism in language and literacy, pages 205-222. Melbourne: Language Australia.
11. Falk, I. & Mulford, B. (2001). Enabling leadership: A new community leadership model. Chapter 24. In I. Falk (Ed.). Learning to manage change: Developing rural communities for a local-global millennium. South Australia: NCVER.
12. Falk, I. & Kilpatrick, S. (2000). Literacy, numeracy, self-confidence and values: Chickens, eggs and ‘access’. In Falk, (Ed.). Lifelong learning: Literacy, schooling and the adult world. Melbourne: Language Australia.
13. Falk, I. & Kilpatrick, S. (1999). Re-focusing on learning regions: Education, training and lifelong learning for Australia’s wellbeing. Commissioned Chapter, Regional Australia Summit, Parliament House, Canberra, 27–29 October.
14. Falk, I. (1999). Situated Leadership: A new community leadership model. Chapter in Rural Community Partnerships: Education for the 21st Century. Proceedings of the National Rural Education Conference of the Country Education Project. Held at School of Mines, Ballarat Oct 1-3 1998. Country Education Project.
15. Falk, I. & Kilpatrick, S. (July 1999). Numeracy, literacy, self-confidence and values: Chickens, eggs and “access”. Chapter in I. Falk & C. Hiller (Eds.) (Forthcoming mid-1999). Language, culture and work: Teaching and training for diversity. Melbourne: Language Australia.

Journal articles & Refereed Conference Papers

1. Borgelt, K. & Falk, I. (Forthcoming 2007). The leadership/management conundrum: innovation or risk management? The Leadership and Organization Development Journal, Vol. 28, pp. TBA.
2. Guenther, J. & Falk, I. (2006 forthcoming). Characteristics of communities of practice: Professional learning communities and traditional professional development compared. Learning Communities: International Journal of Learning in Social Contexts, pp. 1-14.
3. Guenther, J., Falk, I. & Arnott, A. (2006). Partners in practice: does the national VET rhetoric connect with reality? AVETRA Conference, ‘Global VET: Challenges at the global, national and local levels’, Wollongong, 19-21 April 2006.
4. Balatti, J., Black, S. & Falk, I. (2006). Reframing adult literacy and numeracy: A social capital perspective. AVETRA Conference, ‘Global VET: Challenges at the global, national and local levels’, Wollongong, 19-21 April 2006.
5. Guenther, J. & Falk, I. (2006). Characteristics of communities of practice: Would the real community of practice please stand up! AVETRA Conference, ‘Global VET: Challenges at the global, national and local levels’, Wollongong, 19-21 April 2006.
6. Balatti, J., Black, S. & Falk, I. (2006). A social capital perspective of literacy course outcomes: A case study of adult literacy. AATE/ALEA Voices, Vibes, Visions: Hearing the Voices, Feeling the Vibes, Capturing the Visions Darwin High School 8th – 11th July 2006 Conference, Wollongong, 19-21 April 2006.
7. Black, S., Falk, I. & Balatti, J. (2006). Social capital and the need to reframe adult literacy and numeracy policy and practice. Literacy Link, Official Newsletter of the Australian Council for Adult Literacy (ACAL).
8. Falk, I. (2006). Essence of learning: Social capital in workplace learning communities. Learning Communities: International Journal of Learning in Social Contexts.(3), 1-13.
9. Borgelt, K. & Falk, I. (2005). Risk management and change through an innovative model of organisational leadership. Refereed paper in Post Compulsory Education and Training Research conference, Crowne Plaza, Gold Coast, Dec 4-6 2005, Centre for Learning Research: Griffith University Brisbane.
10. Knight, S. & Falk, I. (2005). Qualitative research legitimacy: What counts as ‘evidence’ for policy makers and researchers working together? Refereed paper in Making Knowledge Work, International Conference Proceedings, University of Stirling, Scotland, UK, 25-28 Oct 2005, University of Stirling.
11. Rennie, J. & Falk, I. (2005). Community literate and numerate practices: Making connections to school. Learning Conference, Madrid, Spain, June 2005).
12. Knight, S. & Falk, I (forthcoming 2005). Qualitative research legitimacy: What counts as ‘evidence’ for strong policy? 2nd Qualitative Research as Interpretive Practice Conference, 22-24 September, 2005, Charles Sturt University Albury Campus.
13. Tait, A. & Falk, I. (forthcoming 2005). Professional learning communities: Connecting teachers, practice and student outcomes through the arts. Refereed paper for: AARE 2004 International Education Research Conference, Melbourne, Nov 28-Dec 3 2004.
14. Sushames, L., Falk, I. & Wallace, R. (2004). How Does National Policy Translate to a Local Adult Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Regime for Indigenous Trainees? International Journal of Learning, (11). Last accessed 3 Nov 04 at http://learningconference.publisher-site.com/.
15. Falk, I. & Balatti, J. (2004). Literacy ecologies and lifelong learning: The importance of ‘process’ in repositioning literacy debates. Learning Communities: International Journal of Learning in Social Contexts. (1) pp. 45-65.
16. Falk, I. & Balatti, J. (2004). Identities of place: Their power and consequences for VET. Refereed paper in conference proceedings for Learner and practitioner: The heart of the matter, Rydges Eagle Hawk Resort, Canberra ACT, 17-19 March. Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA).
17. Falk, I & Balatti, J. (2003). Role of identity in VET learning. Refereed paper in conference proceedings for Enriching Learning Cultures: 11th Annual International Conference on Post-compulsory Education and Training, Crowne Plaza, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast Queensland, 1-3 December. Centre for Learning Research, Griffith University.
18. Falk, I. (2003). Social capital and policy engagement: Can participatory think tanks help improve policy process? Learning Communities: International Journal of Learning in Social Contexts, (1) pp. 4-21.
19. Falk, I. (2003). The design of effective leadership interventions: A case study of vocational education and training. The Leadership and Organization Development Journal, 24(4), pp. 193-203.
20. Falk, I. with Kilpatrick, S. & Field, J. (2003). Social capital: An analytic tool for exploring lifelong learning and community development. British Educational Research Journal, 29(3), pp. 417-433.
21. Falk, I. & Kilpatrick S. (2003). Learning in agriculture: Building social capital in island communities. Local Environment, Vol. 8, No. 5, 501–512, October 2003
    Falk, I. (2002) The design of effective leadership interventions. Refereed paper in SEGRA Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia, 6th National Conference, Queanbeyan, New South Wales, 25-27 November (F1).
22. Kilpatrick, S., Falk, I. and Hamilton, V. (2002) Issues of quality learning: Apprenticeships and traineeships in rural and remote Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Vocational Education Research, 10(2), pp. 1-26.
23. Kilpatrick, S., Falk, I. and Johns, S. (2002) Leadership for Dynamic Learning Communities. Paper accepted for 2nd International Lifelong Learning Conference, University of Central Queensland, Yeppoon, 17-19 June (F1).
24. Falk, I., Coombs, W. & Balatti, J. (submitting). Leadership effectiveness in community capacity building. Journal of Appalachian Studies.
25. Falk, I. with Guenther, J. (2002). What makes ‘good’ literacy and numeracy provision? Findings from Australian research. UK Literacy Trust.
26. Falk, I. with Balatti, J. (2002). Socioeconomic Contributions of Adult Learning to Community: A social capital perspective. Adult Education Quarterly, (52)4, pp. 281-298.
27. Falk, I. (2001). Literacy by design not by default: Social capital’s role in literacy learning. UK Journal of Reading Research. 24(3), pp. 314-324.
28. Falk, I. (2001). The future of ‘work’ and the work of the future. Journal of adolescent and adult literacy. 44(6), 566-571.
29. Falk, I. & Kilpatrick, S. (2000). What is social capital? A study of a rural community. Sociologia Ruralis, 1(40), pp. 87-110.
30. Falk, I. & Harrison, L. (2000). Indicators of social capital: Social capital as the product of local interactive learning processes. Learning Communities: International Journal of Vocational Learning, (1)1.
31. Falk, I. & Golding, B. (1999). A view from the Centre: Equity and VET in regional Australia. Training Agenda: A Journal of Vocational Education and Training. 7(1), pp. 6-7.
32. Falk, I. with Kilpatrick, S. and Bell, R. (1999). The role of group learning in building social capital. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, (51)1. Triangle Journals: UK.

Research and consultancy reports

1. Falk, I., Krall, I. Literate practices in Indigenous Communities. National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).
2. Falk, I., Guenther, J., Rennie, J. Analysis of NT Student Flows.
3. Falk, I., Grandy, N., Wallace, R. Researching in on-line learning.
4. Falk, I., Sushames, S. Smallacombe, L., Wallace, R. Pathways to Employment and training. Darwin: Northern Territory Department of Employment, Education & Training (DEET) / Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS).
5. Falk, I., Grandy, N., (2003). Future direction for secondary education
6. Falk, I., (2004). Reforming Adult literacy program. National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).
7. Rennie, J., Falk, I., Wallace, R., (2004). Discontinuities in Literacy and Numeracy. Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST).
8. Falk, I., Keys, P., Watters, J. Science Teacher Knowledge.
9. Tait, A., Wallace, R., Falk, I. Ministers Award/ Anja Tait. Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST).
10. Arnott, A., Wallace, R., Dunbar, T., Falk, I., (2006). Strong Families Evaluation. DHCS.
11. Tait, A., Falk, I., Arnott, A., (2008). Music, literacy and well-being. Australia Council.
12. Falk, I., Arnott, A., Lucardie, D., Guenther, J., (2005). VET/ACE Connection. National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).
13. Falk, I., Tait, A. Australian Council for Arts.
14. Falk, I., Rennie, J., (2008). NT Infrastructure Research.
15. Falk, I., Arnott, A. SPIRS Secondary Education. Darwin: Australian Research Council (ARC) / Northern Territory Department of Employment, Education & Training (DEET).
16. Falk, I., Tait, A. Professional Learning Communities
17. Falk, I., Wallace, R., Nasir, T. Indigenous Youth Leadership 1
18. Falk, I., Wallace, R., Nasir, T. Indigenous Youth Leadership 2
19. Falk, I., Sushames, L. Adult Literacy Audit. Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) / Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL).
20. Arnott, A., Falk, I., Dunbar, T., (2008). NPY Evaluation. NPY.
21. Falk, I., Arnott, A., Woolcock, M., Kilpatrick, S., Guenther, J. Evaluation of Domestic and Aboriginal Violence Strategies. Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS).
22. Arnott, A., Falk, I., Dunbar, T., (2008). Anglicare Evaluation. Anglicare NT.
23. Arnott, A., Falk, I., Dunbar, T., (2008). Red Cross Evaluation. Red Cross NT.
24. Roman, C., Wright, T., Arnott, A. & Falk, I, (2004). Koobenuh Gnutbi: Evaluation of the Kigaruk Men’s Indigenous Leadership Development Program. Darwin, NT: Office for the Commissioner of Public Employment, Northern Territory Government.
25. Wallace, R., Sushames, L. & Falk, I. (2004). Adult Literacy and Numeracy (ALaN) Profiles: Development and evaluation of a pre- and post-assessment tool for Indigenous apprentices. Darwin: Northern Territory Department of Employment, Education & Training (DEET).
26. Falk, I., Arnott, A., Blohm, R., Grenfell, M., Guenther, J. & Wallace, R. (2004). Integrated local employment and learning support service: Creating effective pathways to employment and training for the disadvantaged in the Northern Territory. Darwin: Northern Territory Department of Employment, Education & Training (DEET), auspiced by the Northern Territory Council for Social Service.
27. Rennie, J., Patterson, A. & Falk, I. (2004). Discontinuities in literacy and numeracy practices between Indigenous community schooling and urban high school. Canberra: Department of Education, Science & Training.
28. Fasoli, L., Falk, I. And a team of staff from Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education. (2004). ‘Both Ways’ children’s services project. A Project funded by the Van Leer Foundation for Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, Batchelor, NT.
29. Falk, I with Cocklin, C, Dibden, J, Kilpatrick, S, Higgins, V, Sass, J, Snell, D, Birrell, B, Pfueller, S & Waddell, D, (2001), Social Capability in Rural Victoria: The Food & Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Sectors, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Bendigo, Victoria.

Current Projects

NT Infrastructure Research.

NPY Evaluation. NPY.

Anglicare Evaluation. Anglicare NT.

Red Cross Evaluation. Red Cross NT.

Music, literacy and well-being. Australia Council.

Recent PhD Completions Supervised

1. Guenther, J. (2006). VET as a tool for regional planning and management.
2. Overton, J. (2006). Teacher identity and power relationships in contexts of change.
3. Throssell, P. (2005). The relationship between agelessness and lifelong learning. A multi-methods study of the concept of ageing and its potential relationship to learning through the lifespan.
4. Thomas, A. (2004). E-selves@palace.kids: Literacy and identity in a virtual community. Study of student learning using the internet.
5. Millar, P. (2004). The literacies of “empowerment”: Literacy practices in a socio-economically disadvantaged community. The relationship between literate practices in a community and socio-economic disadvantage.
6. Smith, T. (2003). The role of social capital in negotiating socio-economic needs. MEd thesis, rated as PhD by overseas markers.

Current PhD student topics being supervised:

1. Leadership and management in organisational effectiveness
2. Improving access to universities and higher education: Stories of people who do not ordinarily access further education
3. Workplace learning and assessment
4. Domestic and family violence policy in Australia
5. Role of trust and social capital in teacher and school development
6. Community development plan for bio-security
7. The role of music and arts education in producing literacy and numeracy outcomes in schools
8. Aboriginal suicide contagion in Australia
9. What underlies the sustainability of community-based organisations?
10. How can retention at school be improved in rural and remote areas of the NT?
11. Excellence in models of teacher practicum
12. Farmers’ responding to change through learning
13. How does Policy influence national identity: Evidence-based research, its nature and influence
14. Mature-aged workers: strategies for considerate and productive ageing
15. Optimum forms of learning in teacher education programs for rural and remote Australia
16. MEd: Workbased literacy practices in Kakadu

Post-doctoral fellow research topic

Indigenous student pathways from school to higher education: Reasons and ways forward