About Me
Professor Elizabeth Rata is a curriculum expert and sociologist of education at the University of Auckland. She was a member of the Ministerial Curriculum Advisory Group and is currently on the Charter Schools’ Authorisation Board. She is also the Co-Chair of the Free Speech Union Inter-University Academic Freedom Council which provides support and advice to academics from all New Zealand universities.
Education Research
All publications are available for private study by emailing me at e.rata@auckland.ac.nz
My research into knowledge in education is undertaken with colleagues in the Knowledge in Education Research Unit (KERU). KERU is a cross-faculty Research Unit located in the School of Critical Studies (CRSTIE) in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland.
My major ongoing theoretical inquiry is about the connection between the type of knowledge taught in education systems like New Zealand’s and the viability of democracy in the 21st century. It has long been assumed that educated people will be committed to democratic principles.
“Bringing back academic knowledge into education so that all students, no matter what their background, have the opportunity to succeed at school.” -Elizabeth Rata