Alex Gunn

Alex Gunn is a Professor of Education at the University of Otago, with expertise in teacher education, educational policy, and research-based practice. A former early childhood teacher, she advocates for maintaining university-based teacher training to ensure access to evolving research and critical professional development.

Research and Advocacy: Gunn critiques New Zealand’s proposed shift toward school-based teacher training, arguing it risks disconnecting trainees from academic research and narrowing the curriculum. Her work emphasizes the importance of adaptive expertise and contextual understanding in teaching.

Recent Publication: In her 2024 article, Gunn argues against apprenticeship models for teacher training, highlighting their limitations in fostering critical inquiry and systemic change. She underscores the need for university-led education to maintain teaching as a profession grounded in complexity and research.

Professional Context: Gunn’s role involves teaching, research supervision, and collaboration, with a focus on the historical, social, and political dimensions of education. She has received funding from the Teaching and Learning Research Initiative.