Dr John Rafferty

A substantial body of Dr John Rafferty's research is directed toward institutional reform and and education responses to climate change and the role of science education in future environments.

John has long championed the value of new technologies and natural environments as both a stimulus and site for teaching and learning.  John is working on several projects and initiatives concerning, science education outreach programs, teacher's environmental attitudes and educational responses to sustainability. The cumulative value of John's extensive networking was recognised with CSU receiving designation from the United Nations University (UNU) as a Regional Centre of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development, Murray Darling (RCE-MD) in December 2012. The RCE-MD represents an internationally recognised consortium of EfS stakeholders across the region that uniquely undertakes integrated research, educational and community engagement projects.

Research Interests

• Environmental justice
• Sustainable community development
• Education for sustainability

Diploma of Teaching (Primary); Australian Catholic University, Canberra, 1987

Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Teacher Librarianship), Edith Cowan University, Perth, 1992

Master of Education (Educational Leadership), Australian Catholic University, Ballarat, 1997

EdD, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, 2008

Membership of Advisory Boards

Australian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS) (Vice President - Campus Learning); Victorian Association of Environmental Education (member); Australian Association of Environmental Education (member); Science Teachers Association of Australia (member); Australian Science Communicators Association (member)

Peer Reviewed Papers

Masterman-Smith, H., Rafferty, J., Dunphy, J., & Laird, S. G. (2016). The emerging field of rural environmental justice studies in Australia: Reflections from an environmental community engagement program. Journal of Rural Studies. doi:10.1016/j.jrurstud.2016.04.005

Rafferty, J.M & Laird, S.G. (2013) Children's observations of place-Based environmental education: Projects worlds apart highlight education for sustainability inherent in many programs. Journal of Sustainability Education

Turunen, T.A. & Rafferty, J.M. (2013) Insights beyond neo-liberal educational practices: The
value of discourse analysis. Educational Research for Policy and Practice: Volume 12, Issue 1, 43-56.

Book chapters

Rafferty, J.M., Munday, J. & Buchan, J.,  (2013) An Investigation into the Enhancement of
Blended Learning Environments; toward an effective pedagogy and practice.  In Willems, J & Tynan, B. (2012) (Eds) Research in distance and flexible learning. Volume 2: Micro Level Research in Distance and Flexible Learning. IGI Global Publications. Hershey, PA.

Rafferty, J.M. (2012) Design of outdoor and environmentally integrated learning spaces.
In Keppel, M, Souter, K, & Riddle, M. (2010) (Eds.) Physical and virtual learning space sin higher education: Concepts for the modern learning environment. IGI Global Publications. Hershey, PA.

Books

Rafferty, J.M. (2010) The Realities of School Reform; The effects of managerial discourse on the work of teachers, principals, and on school improvement LAP Publishing, Germany

Conference Papers

Masterman-Smith, H., Rafferty, J., Sheahan, M. & Ward, W. (2015). Beyond the usual suspects: justice, community and NRM. Presented at Australian Social Science Academy workshop on justice, fairness and equity in natural resource management (12-13 October). Canberra: Australian National University.

Current Projects

Powering Down: an energy efficiency education project. Masterman-Smith, H., Rafferty, J. & Sheahan, M. and Albury City Council. (2017) NSW Environment Trust, $100,000 Project details

Completed

Our Place-Corowa, Masterman-Smith, H.,Rafferty, J., Sheahan,M. (2015-2017) NSW Office of Environment & Heritage, NSW, $29,500 Project details

A Community Engagement Series: Regional Facilitator in the Albury LGA, Masterman-Smith, H., Rafferty, J., and Sheahan, M., (2016) NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, $32,000  Project details

Learning Communities. Rafferty, J., Masterman –Smith, H., Laird, S. and Sheahan, M. (2014-2015) Department of Education, $827,086 Project details

Our Place- Riverina and Murray.  Paroissien, K., Rafferty, J.,  Masterman-Smith, H., Mitchell, A.,  Laird, S., Dunphy, J. & Dunlop, O. (2013-14) in collaboration with the RCE-MD,OEH, $90,000 Project details