Overview and Aims

Overview

SORTI was established out of the concern evident at national and international levels about the quality and impact of research and research training. The continued development of the Centre has also responded to the escalating interest in higher and professional education; the acquisition, use, settings; and the acceleration of the use of information technologies in related contexts.

To capture these changes we developed an overarching program framework recognising two key domains: Adaptive Knowledge Production (AKP) and New Technologies that encompasses:

• Studies in Research Training
• Studies in Higher Education
• Studies in Professionalism
• Studies of Cultural Variation

The research, training workshops (e.g. QSR N.Vivo, PhD and Supervisor Training) and consulting activities of SORTI are directed toward the understanding and development of research and higher order problem solving skills, the impact of research training and knowledge use, professional development and pathways to professions, and e-learning in a wide variety of contexts.

This Centre brings together researchers from the University of Newcastle and national and international academics in the fields of Education, Science and IT, Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre, Psychology, Social and Cultural Studies, Evaluation and Measurement, Policy Studies, Curriculum, ESL, History, Philosophy, Creative Arts, Music, Design, Mathematics, Medicine, Engineering and the Built Environment, Environmental Studies, Business, Research Management, and University Administration.

Aims

National

Primarily SORTI aims to undertake projects of national significance in the areas of higher education and generally this involves research into the acquisition of research knowledge and skills, and research impact across disciplines and institutions. It embraces the exploration of knowledge use with respect to IT and high level problem solving, and requires close cooperation with other sectors. This includes developing specialised research databases for community use.

Regional

To undertake activities which have direct benefit for the region including informing best practice at The University of Newcastle.

Quality and Impact

To undertake projects judged as highly innovative and important nationally and internationally, and of high impact as demonstrated through competitive grant success and wide recognition of the activities of the Centre.

Dissemination

SORTI develops seminars and courses which are available to universities, industries and enterprises interested in training staff in high-level problem solving and systematic enquiry related to all aspects of research in academic and workplace settings. Reports and papers are disseminated in a wide variety of forums and advice is given to high-level forums within the sector.

International

To undertake projects of national and international significance which support