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Institute of Education, Arts and Community

The Institute of Education, Arts and Community (IEAC) supports creative, educational and community-focused disciplines that shape lives and strengthen society.

Welcome to the Institute of Education, Arts and Community – where education, creativity and community come together, and student‑centred learning fosters curiosity and innovation. Led by Professor Birgit Loch, Pro Vice‑Chancellor, and Professor Sally Totman, Deputy Dean, the Institute offers qualifications across teaching, criminology, humanities and social sciences, community and human services, and visual and performing arts.

Our IEAC academics are not only leaders in their fields – they're also committed to contemporary teaching and research that has real‑world impact. Career‑focused learning is delivered through face‑to‑face lectures and tutorials, studio practice and online resources, while hands‑on opportunities such as work placements, internships and major projects help students build capability and confidence.

Study areas

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Education
Teaching is all about inspiring the next generation (and having fun at work). Our courses combine theory and placement, which sets graduates up to thrive in any classroom.  
Explore courses
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Performing and Visual Arts
Federation Arts Academy courses allow students to tell their stories, explore new ideas and perform or exhibit their work for real audiences and industry professionals. 
Explore courses
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Social Sciences and Community Services
Human interest drives our criminology, arts, community services and social work courses, as students focus on ways to strengthen our diverse communities.
Explore courses

Arts Academy

Our performing and visual arts students don't just think outside the box – they dismantle it completely (then build something new and present it to an audience).

Explore the Arts Academy

Our academics

Looking for a researcher, supervisor, course coordinator or media comment? Search our academic database by name or field of research.

Find an expert

Research centres

Centre for Regional Education Research and Development
The Centre for Regional Education Research and Development (CRERD) is working to improve education outcomes for regional and rural communities.
Future Regions Research Centre
The Future Regions Research Centre (FRRC) aims to develop new knowledge and innovative solutions to the grand challenges facing our natural environments.
View FRRC research streams
Collaborative Evaluation and Research Centre
The Collaborative Evaluation and Research Centre (CERC) provides training and mentoring to build capacity and enable organisations to conduct meaningful evaluations.
Explore CERC projects
National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth and Justice
The National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth and Justice, established in February 2023, is Australia’s leading academic reconciliation think tank.
Read more about the Centre
View all Federation research centres

Research groups

Latest news

From class to global curtain call – Federation graduates take centre stage
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Achieving lifelong dreams: Federation graduates celebrate success
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Social work placements explained: A student's guide to field education in Australia
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More news

Working with industry

How did we achieve a 5‑star rating for skills development in the Good Universities Guide 2025? By giving our students the opportunity to do plenty of real-world work experience. And partnering with local schools doesn't just mean job-ready graduates – it also helps address skills shortages in regional communities.
Host a student
If you're looking for a placement student, join Federation Co-op. We'll help you find the right candidates then provide resources and support throughout their time with you.
How it works
Earn while you learn
Work experience is a big part of study at Federation. Find out when and how to organise your placement and whether there's any funding available (and how to apply for it).
Get the details

Resources

If you're a current student or teacher, access handy course info in one spot.

I’m proud to work with passionate academics who make a real difference for our students. In partnership with schools, health providers and community organisations, we bring new perspectives to equity, diversity and social justice – and connect learning with meaningful impact."
— Professor Birgit Loch, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Learning and Teaching and the Institute of Education, Arts and Community

Contact us

Associate Deans


Dr Stuart Levy (Co-operative Education)
Associate Professor Emma Price (Learning and Teaching)
Professor Jeremy Smith (Research)

Heads of Discipline

Dr David Waldron (Social Sciences and Humanities)
Dr Karen Felstead (Education)
Professor Rick Chew (Arts Academy)

General enquiries

pvclt.ieac@federation.edu.au