Students worked with us as co-researchers and participants
The Secondary to Tertiary Transitions Project ran from 2020 to early 2023, and was a participatory action project, which means that students were involved as co-researchers as well as participants.
Students joined the project in Year 12 or 13, and worked with us over 2–3 years to plan, 'map' and re-evaluate their educational pathways. Students met with the research team throughout the year during school holidays (or during term breaks for students in tertiary education). We also held additional events during term time, based on students' interests, and developed in consultation with them.
While the project is complete, there are ongoing outcomes, including the creation of student-centred resources for refugee-background students and their families, as well as schools and tertiary education institutions. These resources are intended to inform secondary-to-tertiary education pathways and support successful educational transitions for refugee-background students in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Sharing what we learnt
If you are a secondary school teacher or school principal in Dunedin or Invercargill and you would like more information about the project and what we are learning, please email us. We are happy to meet with you or your staff, by arrangement.
Email vivienne.anderson@otago.ac.nz
Project funding
The project was funded for three years by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research through a Teaching and Learning Research Initiative Grant. It was hosted by the University of Otago College of Education, and led by Associate Professor Vivienne Anderson.