Federation launches Victorian-first centre for regional education

Federation University has launched the new Centre for Regional Education, Research and Development – a Victorian-first research centre dedicated to advancing education equity for regional and rural communities. 

Led by Professor Garry Falloon, the Centre brings together leading researchers, educators and community partners to address long-standing disparities between metropolitan and regional learners in preschool, school and community education settings. 

Its work focuses on identifying and addressing the challenges faced by regional teachers and learners, improving access to high-quality professional development and exploring how technology and artificial intelligence can better support teaching and learning in regional and rural settings. 

The Centre was formed on the back of several highly successful projects, including the Sandbox Project – an online platform supporting early childhood educators, delivered in partnership with the Victorian Government and The Ballarat Y. 

Projects already underway span topics including STEM engagement for girls, professional development to support the statewide rollout of Pre-Prep and work with local schools to better equip students with the skills to use, and critically evaluate, multimodal information and AI. 

The Centre is the first and only Victorian research centre with a dedicated focus on regional and rural education.  
The establishment of the Centre recognises the unique challenges faced by regional learners and teachers, including persistent student achievement gaps between metro and regional areas, difficulties accessing quality professional learning and high teacher attrition, recruitment and retention issues. 

The Centre’s work is work is structured across three interconnected streams: Early Years Education, Primary and School Education and Tertiary and Community Education. 

As Centre Director, Professor Falloon brings more than 22 years’ experience in primary and secondary teaching and school leadership, alongside his expertise in universities as an internationally recognised educational researcher and author.  

Quotes attributable to Centre Director Professor Garry Falloon 

“Regional and rural communities face unique challenges, and too often those challenges translate into fewer opportunities for learners. This Centre exists to help change that.” 

“Working with local communities, schools, learners and students, the new Centre will give regional education the dedicated focus it has long needed.” 

Quotes attributable to Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation Iven Mareels 

“Federation is Victoria’s regional university – and improving education outcomes for regional and rural communities is central to who we are and what we do.” 

“The Centre for Regional Education, Research and Development builds on our commitment to deliver research that will make a real difference on the ground.”