معرفی
Stuart Deerness is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education within the Faculty of Culture and Society at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). He leads the Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching programme and teaches across the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education programmes. His academic career follows extensive experience as a secondary school teacher, providing him with practical insights into educational systems and challenges.
Dr. Deerness holds a PhD in Education (2014) and a Master of Education, both from The University of Auckland. His educational background informs his research on the complex relationships between power structures, social inequality, and educational practices.
His research focuses on how social and political systems affect teachers' professional lives and how educators navigate government policies, political trends, and their own values. Deerness examines the broader societal impacts on education and how educational institutions shape society in return. He investigates what constitutes a "good school" and who determines these standards, with particular attention to making educational systems fairer for all students. His work frequently employs qualitative and ethnographic methodologies to uncover the subtle ways teachers maintain educational values within constrained policy environments.
Analysis of Deerness's recent publications reveals a consistent critical perspective on educational policy, particularly examining tensions between neoliberal reforms and social justice imperatives. His scholarship demonstrates growing emphasis on innovative learning environments, teacher identity formation, and the political dimensions of curriculum implementation. A notable trajectory shows his work evolving from examining teacher practices to analyzing systemic issues in educational assessment, culminating in his 2025 analysis of how influential schools contributed to NCEA's replacement.
As an educator, Deerness supervises graduate research and contributes to teacher education through courses on curriculum theory, educational philosophy, and contemporary issues in education. His teaching emphasizes the development of critical perspectives among future educators, preparing them to navigate complex educational landscapes while maintaining commitment to equity principles.
Dr. Deerness maintains an active presence in public discourse on education, regularly contributing to media discussions about educational policy, school choice, and assessment systems in New Zealand. His recent work has critically examined the relationship between prestigious schools adopting alternative assessment systems like Cambridge International and the eventual government decision to replace NCEA, demonstrating his ability to connect academic research with practical educational concerns.
