The Virtue Community Institute conducts research to provide the evidence base for all Virtue Community products and courses. We conduct research in partnership with Australian universities such as Alphacrucis University College, Sheridan Institute of Higher Education and Curtin University.
Our Director, Emily Lockhart, provided the starting point for Virtue Community with her doctoral research; The interrelationship between a teacher’s worldview, personal beliefs, and the delivery of the Personal, Social and Community Health Strand of the Western Australian Health and Physical Education Curriculum, within secondary schools. This research highlighted the need for professional development and teacher support in the are of Relationships, Identity, and Sexuality Education.
One outcome of this doctoral thesis is the development of the Health Education Teaching Perspectives theoretical framework. This explains the process teachers undergo to enact their perspectives when delivering curriculum.
Health Education Teaching Perspectives Theoretical Framework
This research has been published in Youth journal, Special Issue Sexuality: Health, Education and Rights. This article calls for increased support for teachers as they undergo implementing curriculum including controversial and sensitive topics such as included in Relationships, Identity, and Sexuality Education.
Current research
The Virtue Community Institute values research and the development of an evidence base to underpin our work. We have three research projects underway currently including the development of a 360 degree feedback instrument, a pilot study on Year 6 Puberty Education, and the development of a range of early years learning aids.
360 degree Feedback Tool Development Study
Virtue Community is partnering with Sheridan Institute of Higher Education to conduct research related to its core function of providing evidenced-based teacher education.
The aim of this study is to develop a 360 feedback tool for schools to evaluate the worldview and perspectives of gender and sexuality. Click the below to participate!
Reach out to us if you are interested in finding out more about our research or partnering with us.
Conference Presentations
Western Australian Institute for Educational Research
Educating for Hope Research Symposium: National Institute of Christian Education