Dr. Ruth Wallace

Dr. Ruth Wallace leads the Centre for Social Partnerships in Lifelong Learning Research Consortium at Charles Darwin University. Her particular interests are related to undertaking engaged research that improves outcomes for stakeholders in regional and remote Australian vocational education and workforce development. Ruth is a Senior Vocational Education and Training (VET) lecturer and researcher, with particular expertise in VET practice development, learning communities, literacies and flexible learning. She has undertaken research into the links between identity and involvement in post-compulsory schooling and development of effective pathways through flexible learning and recognition of Indigenous knowledge. Ruth has also undertaken research into flexible learning, action learning and developing effective materials and assessment for marginalized students. Ruth’s work has been widely recognized; she was awarded the 2007 National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) Early Career Researcher Award and the 2008 NCVER Early Career Researcher Award.

Ruth has extensive experience in innovative delivery of VET programs in regional and remote areas across Northern Australia. She has developed strong professional development projects with trainers, industry and communities that focus on developing flexible and innovative approaches to delivery and assessment in cross-cultural contexts. The underlying approaches are based on involving regional and Indigenous stakeholders and communities in the development and use of the resources, programs or approaches. She has led and undertaken training and resource development with Indigenous people across Northern Australia and has extensive experience in liaising with specific community groups to tailor projects for identified needs. 

For more information and an overview of projects and publications please go to: http://www.cdu.edu.au/centres/spill