Associate Professor Joseph Zajda - Nat Sch of Education (Faculty of Education and Arts)
Fully accredited supervisor - Can supervise as principal supervisor

Associate Professor Joseph Zajda is a world-renowned scholar in the area of globalisation and education policy reforms. He has published over 48 books (monographs and edited books) and hundreds of book chapters and articles in refereed journals internationally. He has made an outstanding contribution to research in education globally, with emphasis on globalisation, education reforms, human rights, social justice, gender and equity and the enhancement of quality in teacher education.
His published research includes works in 567 publications in 4 languages and 11,200 library holdings globally, adding immense research expertise to his work globally in globalisation and education reforms, teacher education and pedagogy. He has provided outstanding service to teacher education through his research globally, graduate teaching, doctoral supervision, and his editorial work.
Recent publications include his Second International Handbook of Globalisation, Education and Policy Research (Dordrecht: Springer. http://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789401794923) has 160,986-chapter downloads so far.
As a result, he received a new book contract from Springer to edit International Handbook of Globalisation, Education and Policy Research (December 2020).
He has established a series of leading academic journals. These included Educational Practice & Theory, Education & Society, Curriculum & Teaching, World Studies in Education, and Learning & Teaching, an international journal in classroom pedagogy. It enabled scholars in the field of education, curriculum and policy reforms to share their research with an international audience. A hallmark of his contribution to teacher education and research is his ongoing support to young researchers.
He was the chair of the Publication Committee of the World Council of Comparative and Education Societies, and chaired numerous panels and presented papers at the Comparative and International Education Society. He is consulting editor of the UNESCO's 'International Review of Education Journal'.
He received the 2012 Peter Sheehan Excellence in Research Award. The award recognises the high quality of research activities, and particularly celebrates sustained research that has had a substantive impact nationally and internationally (Faculty of Education, Australian Catholic University).
He received Australian Awards for University Teaching in July 2011 Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, for an innovative, influential and sustained contribution to teacher education through scholarship and publication and for an innovative approach in teacher education, where he uses global pedagogy and teacher as a researcher model.
He is Public Officer of the Australian Council on Human Rights Education (elected in November 2020).
Elected as Fellow of the Australian College of Educators (June 2013). FACE
He has completed the 24-volume Globalisation, Comparative Education and Policy Research series (Springer, 2015-2020). He has received a new contract to prepare another 12 books (books 25-36) to continue the Series in 2021 for Springer.
Areas of research
globalisation and education policy, active citizenship education, curriculum reforms, human rights education, social justice, values education, social constructivist pedagogy, education reforms in the Russian Federation, lifelong learning, and school history textbooks.
Contact
![]() | (03) 9953 3268 (Melbourne) |
![]() | Joseph.Zajda@acu.edu.au |
![]() | Staff Directory Profile |
Research Interests
Cross-cultural perspectives ; Cultural identities and values education ; Globalization and education reforms ; School history textbooks/nation-building ; Teachers' work in schools ; Lifelong Learning ; Russian history textbook research ; English literature education ; Constructivist pedagogy ; Curriculum policy and design ; Higher education policy research ; Values Education ; Active Citizenship Education ; History Education and Curriculum ; Intelligence ; Motivation and engagement ;
Methods Expertise
Qualitative Research ; Discourse Analysis ; Historical-Critical ; Postmodernism ; Critical Theory ; Symbolic Interactionism ; Hermeneutics ; History textbooks ; Values Education ; Globalisation and Education Reforms ;
Research Projects
Completed Projects
- The Contribution of Short-term Cross-Cultural Immersion to the Formation of Catholic School Staff (PhD) (Principal Supervisor)
- TitleGlobalising studies of the politics of history education: a comparative analysis of history national curriculum implementation in Russia and Australia (Funded Grant) (Chief Investigator)
- Learning to Be in the 21st century: Meanings and Needs (PhD) (Principal Supervisor)
- The construction of gender identity in India through television advertisements: A semiotic analysis (PhD) (Principal Supervisor)
- The History of Bantu Education (PhD) (Principal Supervisor)
Current Projects
- Breaking the cycle of disengagement and unemployment for disadvantaged youth: Barriers and affordances during key transitions (PhD) (Principal Supervisor)
- An analysis of school ethos and its influence on the development of national identity and future active citizenship of the students. (PhD) (Principal Supervisor)
Selected Publications
2021
Globalisation and comparative education, in Globalisation, education and Comparative education research
Zajda, J. (2021). Globalisation and education reforms: Creating effective learning. Dordrecht: Springer. (in print)., in Springer
3rd International handbook of globalisation, education and policy research, in Springer: Dordrecht
Globalisation, cultural identity and nation-building: The changing paradigms
2020
Discourse analysis as a qualitative methodology, in Educational Practice & Theory, 42(2). James Nicholas Publishers
Globalization, education and policy reforms, in G. Fan & T. Popkewitz (Eds.), Handbook of policy studies: Values, governance, globalization and methodology. Dordrecht: Springer.
Globalisation, ideology and neo-liberal higher education reform, in Globalisation, education and Comparative education research
Globalisation, ideology and education reforms: Emerging paradigms., in Globalisation, education and Comparative education research
Human rights education globally., in Globalisation, education and Comparative education research
2019
Current research of theories and models of intelligence, in Curriculum & Teaching, 34(1), 85-105.
Research on Discrimination and Self-fulfilling Prophecy in Schools Globally, in Education & Society, 37(1), 59-77.
Globalisation, ideology and politics of education reforms, in Globalisation, education and Comparative education research
Globalization, Education and Reforms, in In George Ritzer & Chris Rojek (Eds.), Wiley-Blackwell's Encyclopedia of Sociology.
Globalisation and the Impact of Social Change and Economic Transformation in Lifelong Learning in Russia., in In M. London (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Lifelong Learning. Oxford: OUP.
2018
Zajda, J. (2018). Researching values education in the classroom: A global perspective. , in Education & Society, 36(2), 29-47
Smith, K. & Zajda, J. (2018). A Critique of qualitative and quantitative methodologies: A minimalist view. Education and Society, 36(1), 73-83., in Education and Society, 36(1), 73-83.
Zajda, J. (2018). Effective constructivist pedagogy for quality learning in schools, in Educational Practice & Theory, 40(1), 67-80.
Zajda, J. (2018). Motivation in the classroom: Creating effective learning environments, in Educational Practice & Theory, 40(2), 67-80.
Dervin, F. & Zajda, J. (2021). Governance in education: Diversity and effectiveness. Paris: UNESCO (in print)
2017
Zajda, J. Tsyrlina-Spady, T. & Lovorn, M. (Eds.) Globalisation and Historiography of National Leaders: Symbolic Representations in School Textbooks , in Dordrecht: Springer.
Zajda, J. & Whitehouse, J. (2017). The Russian Revolution in School History Textbooks. World Studies in Education, 2(18), 59-86., in World Studies in Education, 1(18), 59-86.
Zajda, J. Tsyrlina-Spady, T. & Lovorn, M. (2017a). Research Trends in Globalisation and Historiography of National Leaders: Symbolic Representations in School Textbooks. Dordrecht: Springer.
Zajda, J. Henderson, D. & Whitehouse, J. (2017). The portrayal of John Curtin as Australia's wartime Labour Prime Minister. In J. Zajda, T. Tsyrlina-Spady & M. Lovorn (Eds.), Globalisation and Historiography of National Leaders: Symbolic Representations
Zajda, J. Tsyrlina-Spady, T. & Lovorn, M. (2017b). Globalisation and Historiography of National Leaders. In J. Zajda, T. Tsyrlina-Spady & M. Lovorn (Eds.), Globalisation and Historiography of National Leaders: Symbolic Representations in School Textbooks.
Zajda, J. & Ozdowski, S. (2017a). Globalisation and Human Rights Education: Emerging Issues (pp. 1-11). Dordrecht: Springer.
Zajda, J. & Ozdowski, S. (2017b). Globalisation and Research in Human Rights Education (pp. 265-272). Dordrecht: Springer
2016
Current Research Trends in Globalisation and Neo-liberalism in Higher Education, in Globalisation and Higher Education Reforms
Research in Globalisation and Higher Education Reforms, in Globalisation and Higher Education Reforms
Globalisation and Human Rights Education , in Globalisation and Human Rights Education
Globalisation, Ideology and Education Reforms. , in Globalisation, ideology and politics of education reforms
The National Curriculum and History School Textbooks in Australia and the Russian Federation, in Globalisation, ideology and politics of education reforms
Globalisation and Higher Education Reforms
Globalisation, ideology and politics of education reforms.
Globalisation and Human Rights Education
2015
History School Textbooks and Key Events: A Survey of Russian Teachers, in Educational Practice & Theory, 37(2), 59-78.
Globalisation, ideology and education policy , in Globalisation, ideology and politics of education reforms. Dordrecht: Springer.
The National Curriculum and History school textbooks in Australia and the Russian Federation (with D. Henderson) , in Globalisation, ideology and politics of education reforms. Dordrecht: Springer.
Minorities and education policies reform in Central Asia. , in In J. Zajda (Ed.), Second International Handbook of Globalisation, Education and Policy Research. Dordrecht: Springer.
Global trends in education and academic achievement, in In J. Zajda (Ed.), Second International Handbook of Globalisation, Education and Policy Research. Dordrecht: Springer.
Globalisation and internationalisation: The influence of race, ethnicity and gender on education policy reforms, in International Education and Cultural-Linguistic Experiences of International Students in Australia
Nation-Building and History Education in a Global Culture, in Nation-building and history education in a global culture. Dordrecht: Springer.
Globalisation and the Politics of Education Reforms: History Education, in Nation-building and history education in a global culture. Dordrecht: Springer.
National History Curriculum and Standards for secondary schools in the Russian Federation (with A. Alekshashkina, in Nation-building and history education in a global culture. Dordrecht: Springer.
Globalisation, Ideology and History School Textbooks: The Russian Federation., in Nation-building and history education in a global culture. Dordrecht: Springer. .
Globalisation and its Impact on Education and Policy, in Second International Handbook of Globalisation, Education and Policy Research. Dordrecht: Springer
Globalisation and the future role of education in Africa (with M. Geo-JaJa), in Second International Handbook of Globalisation, Education and Policy Research. Dordrecht: Springer.
Globalisation, the brain drain and poverty reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa (with K. Banya), in Second International Handbook of Globalisation, Education and Policy Research. Dordrecht: Springer.
Zajda, J. & Henderson, D. (2015). What does the review of the Australian Curriculum mean for Senior Modern History? Curriculum Perspectives, 35(1), 64-68. file:///H:/PointCounterpoint%20(1).pdf
Dervin, F. & Zajda, J. (2015). Changing dynamics in the governance of education: a comparative analysis of emerging issues and reforms in the BRICS countries. Paris: UNESCO.
2014
The politics of Russian history education in the Russian media, in Educational Practice and Theory, 36(2), 53-77.
Ideology, in Encyclopedia of Educational Theory and Philosophy. Thousand Oaks: Sage
Values Education, in Encyclopedia of Educational Theory and Philosophy. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Globalisation and Neo-liberalism as Educational Policy in Australia, in Neoliberal Education Reforms: A Global Analysis. New York: Taylor & Francis/Routledge.
The Russian Revolution, in The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Globalization Online.
2013
Russian History Textbooks: An analysis of historical narratives depicting key events. , in Curriculum and Teaching, 28(2), 73-100.
Globalisation, Ideology and History School Textbooks: Secondary School History Teachers Reponses in the Russian Federation, in Educational Practice & Theory, 35(2), 27-61.
2012
Global and cross-cultural perspectives on mentoring in higher education, in Education and Society, 30(2), 27-48
Globalisation, Ideology and the Politics of History School Textbooks: Russia. , in Education and Society, 30(3), 67-78.
Globalisation and Values Education in the History/Social Studies Classroom, in Educational Practice and Theory, 34(1), 25-39.
Globalisation, credentialism and human capital, in Educational Practice and Theory, 34(2), 45-60
Transforming images of nation-building, ideology and nationalism in history school textbooks in Putina??s Russia: 2001-2010, in History Wars in the Classroom-Global Perspectives (pp. 125-142). New York: Information Age Publishing
Current Trends in Lifelong Learning in the Russian Federation, in International Handbook of Lifelong Learning
Representing the October 1917 Russian Revolution in Russian School History Textbooks, in Political Crossroads, 19(1), 49-63
2011
Globalisation and schooling: equity and access issues, in Cultural Studies of Science Education, 6(1), 143-152.
Constructivist Pedagogy: Learning and Teaching, in Curriculum and Teaching, 30(2), 77-91.
Trends in education policy and pedagogy for students with disabilities in Australia, in Special education in an international perspective. Boston: Pearson Alyn & Bacon.
Globalisation and the Impact of Social Change and Economic Transformation in Lifelong Learning in Russia, in The Oxford Handbook of Lifelong Learning. Oxford: OUP.
2010
Global pedagogies: Social, cultural and technological change, in Global Pedagogies: Schooling for the Future
Globalization, education and social justice, in Globalisation, Education and Social Justice
Globalisation, ideology and education policy reforms, in Globalisation, Ideology and Education Policy Reforms
The politics of education reforms and policy shifts in the Russian Federation, in Globalisation, Ideology and Education Policy Reforms
The politics of the new history school textbooks, in Globalisation, Ideology and Education Policy Reforms
Globalisation and the politics of education reforms, in THE POLITICS OF EDUCATION REFORMS
Di??centralisation et privatisation dans l'i??ducation: Le role de L'i??tat, in Transformations des systems i??ducatifs dans les pays du Sud: Entre globalisation et diversification
2009
Comparative Information Technology: Languages, Societies and the Internet, in Comparative Information Technology: Languages, Societies and the Internet
Globalisation, Decentralisation and School-Based Management, in Decentralisation, School-Based Management, and Quality
Values Education and Multiculturalism in the Global Culture, in Global Values Education: Teaching Democracy and Peace
Globalisation, and Comparative Research: Implications for Education, in Globalisation, Policy and Comparative Research: Discourses of Globalisation
Teachers and the Politics of History School Textbooks, in International Handbook of Research on Teachers and Teaching
Teaching History, in International Handbook of Research on Teachers and Teaching
Globalisation, Nation-Building and Cultural Identity: The Role of Intercultural Dialogue, in Nation-Building, Identity and Citizenship Education: Cross Cultural Perspectives
Nation-building, identity and citizenship education: Introduction, in Nation-Building, Identity and Citizenship Education: Cross Cultural Perspectives
Race, Ethnicity and Gender in Education: Introduction, in Race, Ethnicity and Gender in Education: Cross-Cultural Understandings
2008
Globalisation, comparative education and policy research: Equity and access issues, in Comparative and Global Pedagogies: Equity, Access and Democracy in Education
Globalisation, Education and Social Stratification, in Education and Social Inequality in the Global Culture
Globalisation and its impact on education and policy, in Educational Practice and Theory
Credentialism and VET: The Importance of Qualifications and Skills, in Educational Practice and Theory (print version)
Discrimination in the Classroom, in Learning and Teaching: an international journal of classroom pedagogy
Education and Social Stratification in the Soviet Union and Post-Soviet Russia, in Political Crossroads (print version)
Education for Work in the USSR, in Political Crossroads (print version)
2007
The New History School Textbooks in the Russian Federation: 1992-2004, in Compare
Credentialism in the 21st Century: The Importance of Qualifications, in Educational Practice and Theory
Policy Shifts in Higher Education in the Russian Federation: Autonomy, Standards, and Quality, in European Education
Guest Editor's Introduction, in European Education
Reforms in Higher Education in the Russian Federation: Implications for Equity and Social Justice, in European Education
Living Together: Globalisation, Education and Intercultural Dialogue, in Political Crossroads (print version)
Secrets of Scholarly Publishing in International Journals
2006
Decentralisation and Privatisation in Education, in Decentralisation and Privatisation in Education
Education and social justice: Issues of Liberty and Equality in the Global Culture, in Education and Social Justice
Schooling; Education Reforms; and Policy Shifts in the Russian Federation, in Schooling Around the World
Schooling the new Russians: Transforming Soviet Students to Capitalist Entrepreneurs
2005
Decentralisation and School-Based Management: A Comparative Study of Self-Governing Schools Models, in Educational Practice and Theory
Decentralisation; Delegation and Devolution: Towards self-governing schools, in Political Crossroads
Overview and Introduction, in The International Handbook of Globalisation and Education Policy Research
The Educational Reform and Transformation in Russia, in The International Handbook of Globalisation and Education Policy Research
Rethinking Globalisation and the Future of Education in Africa, in The International Handbook of Globalisation and Education Policy Research
Globalisation, Education and Policy: Changing Paradigms, in The International Handbook of Globalisation and Education Policy Research
Other information
RECENT GRANTS
Taylor, A. (CI) & Zajda, J. (CI) (2011-2015). Globalising studies of the politics of history education: a comparative analysis of history national curriculum implementation in Russia and Australia. Australian Research Council Discovery Project. DP110101320 AUD $315,000.
Zajda, J. (CI), Warren E. (PI), & Diezmann, C. (PI) (2007-2008). Credentialism, vocational training and skill shortages from Department and Education, Training and the Arts (Brisbane). AUD $75, 000. through EIDOS./DEETA, Queensland.
HONORS
Completed the UNESCO project (with Prof. Dervin, University of Helsinki)(2018) Governance in education: Diversity and effectiveness. BRICS countries. Paris: UNESCO.
Chair of World Education Research Association International Research Network (WERA-IRN) The Impact of Globalization on Higher Education (2013-2015).
The 2012 Peter Sheehan Excellence in Research Award. The award recognises the high quality of research activities, and particularly celebrates sustained research that has had a substantive impact nationally and internationally.
Australian Awards for University Teaching July 2011
Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning a?? Associate Professor Joseph Zajda, Australian Catholic University.
Citation Wording:For an innovative, influential and sustained contribution to teacher education through scholarship and publication. Synopsis: The applicant has pioneered an innovative approach in teacher education, where he uses global pedagogy and a teacher as a researcher model.
Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, Australian Catholic University. The award was presented at the April 2004 Graduation Ceremony, the Melbourne Town Hall. It was the sole award that year for the whole university.
Elected as Fellow of the Australian College of Educators (June 2013).
FACE Citation:
Associate Professor Joseph Zajda has made an outstanding contribution to research in education with particular emphasis on globalisation, gender and equity and to the enhancement of teacher education.
Joseph has made an impressive contribution to educational scholarship at a national and international level for over 30 years. The breadth and volume of his scholarly achievements far exceed beyond the normal expectation of an academic. His research is innovative, engaging and influential. His publication record is most impressive: 109 works in four languages in 498 publications (10,234 university library holdings). This includes editing or co-editing many books for Springer (the largest academic publisher).He brings immense research expertise to his work in the classroom. He has provided outstanding service to the profession through his editorial work. This far exceeds the formal requirements of his position. He has established a series of leading academic journals, enabling Australian scholars in the field of education to share their research with an international audience. A hallmark of his contribution to our professional is the generous support he provides to young researchers. This is clearly evident in his work with the World Council of Comparative and Education Societies, the Comparative and International Education Society and UNESCO 'International Review of Education Journal', EB member and guest-editor of special issues.
His 498 publications in 4 languages are held in 11,200 university library holdings globally. See http://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n80073076/