New Dean of Education appointed

The University of Auckland has appointed Associate Professor Graeme Aitken as the new Dean of its Faculty of Education.

Dr Aitken is a graduate of The University of Auckland with an MA in Geography (1975) and an EdD (2005). He received his Diploma in Teaching from the then Auckland College of Education in 1976 and for fourteen years pursued a career in secondary school teaching.

In 1991 he joined the College as a member of Education Advisory Services. He became a Principal Lecturer at the College before becoming a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University in 1996. Dr Aitken has had a leadership role in teacher education, the School of Education and, since the amalgamation of the College and the School, in the Faculty of Education. He is a well known and respected spokesperson for education within New Zealand and internationally.

His research interests include the nature and assessment of teaching effectiveness, and curriculum development and design. Dr Aitken has just completed a major research project with Dr Claire Sinnema synthesising the evidence on the relationship between teaching and learning for diverse learners in social sciences.

University of Auckland Acting Vice-Chancellor Raewyn Dalziel welcomed Dr Aitken’s appointment.
“After an extensive international search and interviewing several candidates, we were delighted to find out that the best person for the job was already on the staff. Graeme stepped up as Acting Dean when Dr John Langley left to join MultiServe and he has won both the respect and support of his colleagues. We are confident that he will lead the Faculty of Education into a new phase at the forefront of teacher education and social work.”

Dr Aitken says he is honoured to head the Education Faculty. “I am very much looking forward to building and enhancing the Faculty’s contribution to education and research in education nationally and internationally.”