Partnerships
Queensland has a powerhouse of expertise in human capital and social change research, policy and evaluation. Within its eight universities, there are more than 55 education and social research and policy centres, and over 200 active senior and early career researchers. An analysis of key academic indicators used in assessing the quality of Australian universities reveal that a number of Queensland Universities are performing at a high level nationally and internationally in terms of education and social science research. There is also an important concentration of expertise in educational and social international development with a particular focus on Asia and the Pacific. In a number of key areas of education and social policy, Queensland is at "the cutting edge of international thinking" in terms of both the challenges facing us at the dawn of the 21st century and an ongoing program of research and evaluation (1). EIDOS harnesses these resources to maximize their contribution to state, national and global education and social research and policy.
Currently, research in education, social policy and change in Australia is largely confined to small groups working on a particular area of academic interest in a University or specialised institution like the ACER. Some academics with considerable expertise in education and social change research are working with policy makers and communities, and across sectors and institutions, but these are in a minority. As a result, the contribution of education and social change research to policy and practice has fallen far short of its potential.
While the various University Centres and Institutes have begun to play a valuable role in facilitating new linkages and partnership projects,, it is clear that further development of Australia's universities' potential in this field will require a more focused and coordinated approach with stronger connections both across the university sector and with key external government, community and industry stakeholders.
In Queensland, as in many other Australian and international jurisdictions, there is growing government and community interest in the knowledge and skills needed to meet the challenges of the knowledge society and sustainable development including:
* Engaging diverse community, private and public sector stakeholders; Understanding education and community trends, needs and expectations;
* Identifying, implementing and evaluating policy options most likely to improve social, cultural, economic and environmental outcomes.
Universities, as the pre-eminent drivers of knowledge creation and dissemination, have significant opportunities and responsibilities to work with schools, communities, private and public sector organizations and provide leadership in learning and social policy. Each of the EIDOS partners' strategic plans clearly articulate a role in engaging with their local national and global regions and communities utilising teaching, learning and research skills.
The establishment of Eidos has the potential to assist the collaborating universities to achieve this vision by focusing the energy and bringing together the partners needed to build national and international leaders in high quality education and social change policy and research.
Eidos has the potential to be a valuable new resource for public and private sector organisations; for policy makers, practitioners and researchers; and for a diverse range of citizens and communities seeking to learn about - and make real - policy directions and programs that more effectively address the challenges of building inclusive and sustainable prosperity in a globalising world.
Queensland University of Technology's Professor Erica McWilliams, at the Eidos Congress 2006 (Parliament House, Queensland AUSTRALIA), explains:
