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Dr Amy Cutter-Mackenzie

Job title: Senior Lecturer
Qualifications:  BEd (Hons 1) Griffith, PhD CQU
 
Location:Peninsula, building A3, room 32
Phone:+61 3 990 44638
 
Email:
Amy.CutterMackenzie@Education.monash.edu.au
Fax:  61 3 99044027

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Teaching commitment

Biography

Dr Amy Cutter-Mackenzie is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Monash University. Amy commenced her career as a primary school teacher in Queensland. She later moved into academia after completing her PhD in 2003. She is a foundational member of the Movement, Environment and Community Research Group (at Monash University). Amy's research is clearly situated in the area of children's and teachers' thinking and experiences in environmental education in range of contexts and spaces (including schools, garden spaces, teacher education, outdoor education, children's literature, research spaces, science education, community and early years settings). Amy is currently writing a book with Associate Professor Phillip Payne on teaching environmental education experientially (Sense Publishers) and is finishing editing a Special Issue of Environmental Education Research about experiencing environment and place through children's literature. She was recently appointed as the co-editor of the Australian Journal of Environmental Education (2010-2013). In the past 5 years she has generated substantial external research income, having completed 11 research projects in the areas of environmental education, sustainability and science education. Recently, Amy was awarded the Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award (September 2009) and a prestigious Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (August 2008). Her citation was specifically for "leading school-community teaching and learning practices and partnerships to influence, motivate and inspire pre-service education students and schools to engage in environmental education and sustainability".

Amy is presently on OSP (sabbatical) in Canada working on her book and a number of other writing and research projects (May-December 2009).

Research Interests

Amy's broad research interests are situated within environmental education and sustainability. She has a clear interest in teachers' and children's environmental thinking (ecoliteracy) and experiences, together with research-led-teaching practices and methodologies in environmental education and sustainability. Amy's interests also extend to: research methodologies involving children as researchers; environmental philosophy; human and other-than-human relations; social ecology; experiential education; teachers' knowledge; science education; and professional practice.

Professional Associations

  • Amy presently holds executive positions on key national and international environmental education committees. These include: Council Member of the Australian Association for Environmental Education; Co-Convener of the Teachers and Teacher Education AAEE Special Interest Group; and AAEE Representative for the Australian Federation of Societies for Studies of Society and Environment. She recently completed her term as the Chair of the American Educational Research Association Ecological and Environmental Education SIG (2007-2008).
  • Amy is also currently the Course Advisor of the Bachelor of Education (Primary - 4th Year) and Graduate Diploma (Primary). She is also the honours coordinator for Peninsula Campus (Education).

Community Service

  • Dr Amy Cutter-Mackenzie has worked in the area of environmental education for over a decade. She is considered a leading environmental educator in Australia, publishing widely and holding key Chair positions on national and international environment and sustainability committees and organisations. From 2007-2008, Amy was the Chair of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Ecological and Environmental Education Special Interest Group (SIG). The SIG is the peak environmental and sustainability education research group in the world, made up of leading researchers in the field. Amy is also the founding Chair of the National Teachers and Teacher Education Special Interest Group, Australian Association for Environmental Education. She formed this group in 2003 which brings together teachers and teacher educators with expertise and/or an interest in environmental and sustainability education research. This group has spearheaded a number of policies and initiatives particularly pertinent to schools and teacher education faculties.

Supervision

Amy is a fully Accredited Monash University Supervisor and is currently supervising 11 research students in the areas of environmental education, science education and professional practice.

Editorial

Amy has recently been appointed as the co-editor of the Australian Journal of Environmental Education. She is also currently guest editing a special issue of Environmental Education Research about 'experiencing environment and place through children's literature'. Amy is a reviewer for: Australian Journal of Early Childhood; Environmental Education Research; Asia Pacific Journal of Teacher Education; Australian Research Journal in Early Childhood Education. She is also on the Panel of Experts (Reviewers) for the AERA Ecological and Environmental Education SIG.

Publications

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Book

Cutter-Mackenzie, A., & Payne, P. (2010, book contract signed 25/11/08). Teaching Environmental Education Experientially: A Research-Led Approach to Sustainability. The Netherlands: Sense Publishers.

Edited Collections

Cutter-Mackenzie, A., Payne, P., & Reid, A. (Eds) (2009, forthcoming). Special Issue: Experiencing Environment and Place through Childrens Literature. Environmental Education Research.

Book Chapters

Barrratt, R., Barratt Hacking, E., & Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2010, in review). The challenges of undertaking environmental research with children and children undertaking environmental research: framing a future research agenda. In B Stevenson, A Wals, M Brody & J Dillon (Eds). The Handbook of Research on Environmental Education, Washington: American Educational Research Association.

Edwards, S., Cutter-Mackenzie, A., & Hunt, E. (2010, forthcoming, accepted 14/1/09). Framing play for learning: professional reflections on the role of open-ended play in early childhood education. Chapter in L. Brooker & S. Edwards (Eds.), Challenging Play. London: Open University Press.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2008). Returning to Frugality. In G Barlow & K McFarlane (Ed.). The Ecologies Project. Clayton: Monash University Museum of Art.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A N. (2007). Knowledge matters: Teaching environmental education in the early years. In Marilyn Fleer (Eds) Young Children: Thinking About the Scientific World (pp.54-60), Watson ACT Australia: Early Childhood Australia Inc.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A., & Tilbury, D. (2002). Meeting Commitments for a Sustainable Future: Environmental Education in Pre-Service Teacher Education. Chapter in Knight, B.A.(Ed). Reconceptualising learning in the knowledge society (pp. 17-34). Flaxton: Post Pressed.

Cutter, A., & Smith, R. (2001). A Chasm in Environmental Education: What Primary School Teachers Might or Might Not Know. In Knight, B.A. and Rowan, L. (Eds). Researching in Contemporary Educational Environments (pp. 113-132). Flaxton: Post Pressed.

Refereed Journal Articles

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2009, forthcoming). Australian Waste Wise Schools Program: Past, Present and Future. Journal of Environmental Education.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2009). Multicultural School Gardens: Creating Engaging Garden Spaces in Learning about Language, Culture, and Environment. Canadian Journal of Environmental Education (Special Issue), 14 (1), 122-135.

Burke, G., & Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2009, forthcoming). Opening up Visual and Eco Literacies to Immersive and Embodied Experiences of Childrens Literature. Environmental Education Research. 15.

Cutter Mackenzie, A., Edwards, S., & Fleer, M. (2009). Investigating the environmental scientific concepts in childrens play: How do children and teachers interpret play-based learning? Australian Journal of Research in Early Childhood Education, 16(1).

Eastwood, K., & Cutter Mackenzie, A. (2009). Were Not Doctors and Nurses: The Teachers Role in the Management of Anaphylaxis in Primary School Settings. Australian Journal of Research in Early Childhood Education.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A., Clarke, B., & Smith, P. (2008). A Discussion Paper: The Development of Professional Teacher Standards and Professional Learning in Environmental Education. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 24, 3-10.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A., & Edwards, S. (2006). Environmental education as a content area in early childhood education and curriculum. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 22(2), 13 19.

Miles, R., Cutter-Mackenzie, A., and Harrison, L. (2006). Teacher Education: A Diluted Environmental Education Experience. Australian Journal of Environmental Education. 22(1), 1-11.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A., & Smith, R. (2003). Ecological Literacy: the missing paradigm in environmental education (part one). Environmental Education Research, 9(4), 497-524.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A, Araghi, F, Burch, D., and Lawrence, G. (2003). Editorial. International Journal of Sociology of Agriculture and Food, 11(1), 1.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A, Araghi, F, Burch, D., and Lawrence, G. (2002). Editorial. International Journal of Sociology of Agriculture and Food, 10(2), 1.

Cutter, A., & Smith, R. (2001). Gauging Primary School Teachers Environmental Literacy: An Issue of Priority. Asia Pacific Education Review, 2 (2), 45-60.

Refereed Conference Papers

Cutter-Mackenzie, A., Clarke, B., Smith, P., & Su, J. (2008). Recognition of Excellent Teachers in Environmental Education: A Discussion Paper about the Development of Professional Teacher Standards and Learning in Australia. American Educational Research Associatation, New York City, March 24 - March 28, 2008, 1-9.

Wattchow, B., Burke, G., & Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2008). Environment, place and social ecology in educational practice. Paper presented at Australian Association for Research in Education. Brisbane.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A N (2007) Kids as researchers: Applications and possibilities for environmental education research In Linda Downsborough and Helia Lotz-Sisitka(Eds) Learning in a changing world. Durban 4th World Environmental Education Congress, Durban, South Africa.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A.N. Clarke, B. Smith, P. & Su, J. (2007) Environmental Education: The Development of Professional Teacher Standards and Learning in Australia. United Nations 4th International Conference on Environmental Education, India.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A N & Edwards, S E. (2007). Deconstructing early childhood content, context and pedagogy through everyday environmental education experiences. In The World of Educational Quality, American Educational Research Association, Chicago, 1-9.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A., Clarke, B., Smith, P., and Su, J. (2006). Showcasing Excellence: Professional Teacher Standards and Learning in Environmental Education. In S. Wooltorton, and D. Marinova (Eds.), Sharing wisdom for our future, Environmental education in action: Proceedings of the National Conference of the Australian Association for Environmental Education. Sydney: Australian Association for Environmental Education (1-8).

Edwards, S. & Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2006). Eco-literacy and the content-pedagogy relationship in early childhood education. In S. Wooltorton, & D. Marinova (Eds.), Sharing wisdom for our future. Environmental education in action: Proceedings of the National Conference of the Australian Association for Environmental Education. Sydney: Australian Association for Environmental Education (1-8).

Miles, R., and Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2006). Environmental Education: Is it really a Priority in Teacher Education? In S. Wooltorton, and D. Marinova (Eds.), Sharing wisdom for our future, Environmental education in action: Proceedings of the National Conference of the Australian Association for Environmental Education. Sydney: Australian Association for Environmental Education (1-6).

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2005). Environmental Education in an Era of Accountability: Are Teacher Educators Meeting the Benchmarks? Paper Presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Conference (Ecological and Environmental Education SIG), Montreal, Canada (1-12).

Other Publications

Eastwood, K., & Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2008). The more people with knowledge, the more likely youll get it right: Teachers Role in the Management of Anaphylaxis. Everychild.

Widdop Quinton, H., & Cutter-Mackenzie, A. N. (2008). School Gardens: A First Step towards Whole School Sustainability. Eingana. The Journal of the Victorian Association for Environmental Education, 31(2), 11-13.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. N. (2007). Children as researchers: Applications and possibilities for Environmental Education evaluation and research. Eingana, The Journal of the Victorian Association for Environmental Education, 30(1), 14-16.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A N., Clarke, B., Smith, P., & Su, J. (2007) Promoting Excellence in Environmental and Sustainability Education. Eingana, The Journal of the Victorian Association for Environmental Education Journal, 30(3), 4-7.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2005). Review Early Childhood Environmental Education: Making it Mainstream. Australian Journal of Early Childhood Education. 30 (1), 58-59.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2009). Final Research Report: Sustainables Challenge (pp 1-85). Melbourne: Sustainability Victoria.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A N, Seah, W T., & Prince, N. (2007). Research report: Science outside school Science Outside School (SOS) Program (pp.1-21). Canberra: Australia Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST).

Cutter-Mackenzie, A N. (2007). Waste Wise Schools Research Report (pp.1-47), Melbourne: Gould Group.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A N (2007) Research report: Schoolgrounds for learning (pp.1-46), Melbourne: Gould Group.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A N (2007) Sustainable cities challenge research report (pp.1-41), Melbourne: Gould Group.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A N (2007) Research report: Multicultural school gardens (pp.1-50), Melbourne: Gould Group.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A N (2007) Sustainables Challenge 2007 research report (pp.1-70), Melbourne: Gould Group.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2006). Waste Wise Schools Program: Phase One Report An analysis of existing waste wise schools survey data. Melbourne: Gould Group.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2006). Research Report: Waste Wise Schools. Melbourne: Gould Group.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2006). Research Report: Enterprise Schools. Melbourne: Gould Group.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2006). Research Report: Sustainables Challenge. Melbourne: Gould Group.

Cutter-Mackenzie. A. (2006). Sustainables Challenge Preliminary Analysis Report. Melbourne: Gould Group.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2006). Research Report: Multicultural School Gardens. Melbourne: Gould Group.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2006). Research Report: Schoolgrounds for Learning. Melbourne: Gould Group.

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2004). Eco-Literacy: The Missing Paradigm in Environmental Education. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia.

Cutter, A.N. (1998) Integrated Pre-Service Environmental Education: The Abandonment of Knowledge. Unpublished Honours Thesis, Griffith University: Gold Coast, Australia.

Selected Research Funding (2006-2009)

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. Schools Insight Project. South East Water Limited ($14,000).

Cutter-Mackenzie, A., & Graeme, V. Examination of a Professional Teacher Experience Model: Practice by Innovation rather than Emulation. Faculty of Education Small Grant ($10,000).

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. & Clarke, B. A Pilot Study: The Development of Professional Teacher Standards and Learning in Environmental Education, Staff Grant ($6000).

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. Waste Wise Schools Longitudinal Research Project. Gould Group Research Grant ($19,000).

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. The Sustainables Challenge Research Project, Gould Group ($64,000)

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. Multicultural School Gardens Project, Gould Group Research Grant ($52,000).

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. Schoolgrounds for Leraning Research Project, Gould Group Research Grant ($25,000).

Edwards, A., and Cutter-Mackenzie. Pilot (ARC Discovery), Staff Grant ($6000)

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. Sustainable Cities Research Project, ASISTM and Gould Group ($6000).

Cutter-Mackenzie. A. Frankston Water-Proofing Cluster Project, ASISTM, Curriculum Corporation ($70,000).

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. Enterprise Schools Research Project, Gould Group ($25,000)

Cutter-Mackenzie. A. ASISTM Critical Friend, Curriculum Corporation ($10,000).

Mordialloc Cluster and Monash University (Cutter-Mackenzie and Seah). Science Outside Schools. Curriculum Corporation (ASISTM)($50,000).

Cutter-Mackenzie, A. (2005/6). Dissemination Faculty Grant ($2,000).