About

Biography

Dr Rachael Dwyer (she/her) is an educator and researcher working in teacher education policy, music and arts education, and anti-racist practice. Her scholarship is focused on creating social change, through decolonizing, arts-based approaches to teaching, advocacy and research, and sharing her scholarship in ways that impact policy and practice. Rachael has published extensively for a range of audiences, and has received research funding from International Teaching Artist Collaborative (ITAC) and Alberts | The Tony Foundation. Rachael’s current research is focused in two main areas: how the arts afford opportunities for meaningful embedding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in school curricula, leading to rich cultural learning and positive education outcomes for students; and ways in which schools can be welcoming and inclusive workplaces for teachers from diverse cultural, linguistic and racial backgrounds.


Rachael is also active in arts professional associations, and has expertise in research communication strategy, which provides a valuable skillset that can be leveraged to enact advocacy and social change. She is on the editorial board for the Australian Journal of Music Education, regularly sits on review panels and committees for national and state-based curriculum authorities, and is the national Vice President of the Australian Society for Music Education.


Teaching areas

  1. Teaching Arts in Primary School (EDU349 & EDU777)
  2. Professional Experience: Orientation to the Profession (EDU114)
  3. Communicating Education Research (EDN704)

Link

Organisational Affiliations

Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre

Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching, School of Education and Tertiary Access

Highlights - Outputs

Journal article

by Jiao Tuxworth and Rachael Dwyer

Published 2023

Australian Journal of Music Education, 55, 1, 48 - 59

Journal article

by Brendon MungeAlison L BlackDeborah HeckCatherine ManathungaShelley DavidowCatherine ThieleRachael DwyerStephen Heimans and Vicki Schriever

Published 2021

Cultural Studies - Critical Methodologies, 21, 5, 413 - 423

Journal article

by Alison L BlackGail CrimminsRachael Dwyer and Victoria Lister

Published 2020

Gender and Education, 32, 1, 115 - 129

Journal article

by Rachael DwyerAlison Willis and Kairen Call

Published 2020

Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 48, 5, 572 - 585