A/PROF Harold John Culala ~ Academic Developer

I am an Academic Developer at the JCU Centre for Education and Enhancement. With nearly two decades of experience in Education and Teacher Education, my journey demonstrates a profound commitment to the field, particularly in curriculum and pedagogy.

Before my current position and move to Australia, I served in various roles at Far Eastern University in Manila, including Vice President for Academic Services, Dean of the FEU Institute of Education, and Director of the Education Technology Centre. Additionally, I was an Associate Professor of Education and, early in my career, I started as a lecturer in Mathematics at the university.

I am actively engaged in research with a focus on curriculum policies, teacher education, and educational reform. My work is dedicated to tackling key issues in these areas, striving to foster sustainable and inclusive educational practices. Additionally, I have a keen interest in critical pedagogy and the epistemologies of education of the global south. This interest involves exploring diverse educational philosophies and practices that challenge traditional norms and contribute to a broader understanding of global educational dynamics.

Furthermore, I have led various national, regional, and university-level faculty development programmes in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand. My work has extended to conducting numerous training sessions and consultancy projects with the Philippine government.

My academic qualifications include a PhD in Education (Curriculum Studies) from Taylor’s University, Malaysia, where my thesis explored Curriculum Reforms in the Post-Martial Law Era in the Philippines. I also hold a Master's degree in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) and a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education (Mathematics), both from Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines.

Interests

Research

• Curriculum Policies and Development
• Education Reforms and Policy Studies
• Neoliberal in Education
• Epistemology of Education in the Global South

Teaching

• Assessment for Learning
• Teaching Philosophies and Paradigms

Experience

• 2024 to present - Academic Developer, James Cook University (Townsville, Australia)
• 2022 to 2023 - Vice President Academic Services, Far Eastern University (Manila, Philippines)
• 2022 to 2023 - Consultant, Metro Manila Development Authority (Manila, Philippines)
• 2010 to 2023 - Associate Professor, Far Eastern University (Manila, Philippines)
• 2019 to 2022 - Dean, Institute of Education, Far Eastern University (Manila, Philippines)
• 2014 to 2016 - Director, Center for Education Technology, Far Eastern University (Manila, Philippines)
• 2006 to 2010 - Lecturer (Mathematics/Statistics), Far Eastern University (Manila, Philippines)
• 2007 to 2008 - Senior High School Teacher, Fairview International School (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Research Disciplines

• Education systems (3903)
• Communication and media studies (4701)
• Education policy, sociology and philosophy (3902)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Schools and learning environments (1602)
• Communication (1302)
• Learner and learning (1601)

Awards

• 2014 - Education Leadership Award Asia's Education Excellence Award 2014, Singapore
• 2012 - Outstanding Contribution to Education Award World Education Congress, India
• 2006 - Bayer Young Environmental Envoy of the Philippines

Memberships

• 2024 - Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education
• 2023 - Australia and New Zealand History of Education Society (ANZHES)

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Culala H and Jintalan J (2019) Socio-Ideological Reproduction in Filipino Workers Exportation: A View on Sustainability Education. Jurnal Kemanusiaan, 17 (2). pp. 46-52
• De Leon J and Culala H (2019) Issues on sustainability in education: the Philippine basic education conundrum. Jurnal Kemanusiaan, 17 (2). pp. 35-45
• Wijesinghe S, Mura P and Culala H (2019) Eurocentrism, capitalism and tourism knowledge. Tourism Management, 70. pp. 178-187

Conference Papers

• Culala H (2022) The “New Normal” in Education and the Future of Schooling. KnE Social Sciences. In: ELEHIC 2021: The Second Economics, Law, Education and Humanities International Conference, 14-15 October 2021, Padang, Indonesia
• Mohamed Salim N, Ali M, Djatmika D and Culala H (2022) Digital Literacy as the New Dimension in Measuring Advertising Literacy: Towards a “Super Smart Society”. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Design Industries & Creative Culture. In: DESIGN-DECODED: 2nd International Conference on Design Industries & Creative Culture, 24-25 August 2021, Kedah, Malaysia

Other research outputs

• Culala H and De Leon J (2020) Secondary Education for Sustainable Development. In: Quality Education. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Springer, Cham, Switzerland
• Da Silva M and Culala H (2017) Media and Neoliberalism in the Time of Duterte. [Presented at the 17th Biennial International Conference on Media and Communication]. In: MENTION2017: 17th Biennial International Conference on Media and Communication, 20-22 November 2017, Putrajaya, Malaysia
• Culala H (2016) Technological Contribution Towards the Education Sector. APAC CIO Outlook,