Dr Wili Suluma ~ Lecturer, Education (Indigenous [Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander] Education)

Dr Wili Suluma, BEd(Prim), PGDE, GC(Tertiary Tchg), PGDE(Tertiary Tchg), MEd(Research), MSc(Science Ed), PhD., has extensive teaching experience in Australia and the Pacific. During his 20+ years of teaching, he has taught in schools, Teachers Colleges, and Universities. One of the highlights of his career was teaching in some of the most remote and isolated Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory of Australia. This was where his interest in Indigenous education started. His PhD explored the purpose of boarding school for remote Aboriginal students in remote and isolated communities in the Northern Territory.

Prior to joining James Cook University, Wili was involved in a teacher education project that the University of New England runs on Nauru Island. The purpose of the DFAT and NZAID funded project was to train local teachers to address Nauru’s reliance on expatriate teachers.

Wili is a lecturer in Indigenous education and is involved in preservice teacher education in the College of Arts, Society and Education at James Cook University. His research interests include Indigenous education, society and education, inclusive education, equity in education, and rural and remote education.

Teaching

• ED1401: Education Perspectives and Practice (Level 1; ONL & TSV)
• ED2991: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education (Level 2; CNS, ONL & TSV)
• ED5952: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education in Primary School Contexts (Level 5; CNS & TSV)
• ED5977: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education (Level 5; CNS & TSV)

Interests

Research

• Indigenous Education
• Society and Education
• Inclusive Education
• Equity in Education
• Rural and remote Education

Experience

• 2022 to present - Lecturer (Indigenous Education), James Cook University (Townsville, Queensland)
• 2021 - Lecturer (Pacific Education), Nauru Teacher Education Project, The University of New England (New South Wales)
• 2018 to 2021 - PhD Research, The University of New England (New South Wales)
• 2016 to 2017 - Principal, Canteen Creek School (Northern Territory)
• 2013 to 2016 - School Teacher, Canteen Creek School (Northern Territory)
• 2009 to 2011 - Senior Teacher, St John the Baptist School (Queensland)
• 2006 to 2008 - Campus Lecturer, The University of the South Pacific (Labasa, Fiji)
• 2004 to 2005 - Lecturer (Science Education), Lautoka Teachers College (Fiji)
• 2003 - Lecturer (Science Education), Corpus Christi Teachers College (Suva, Fiji)
• 1993 to 2002 - Teacher, Department of Education (Multiple schools, Fiji)

Research Disciplines

• Education policy, sociology and philosophy (3902)
• Specialist studies in education (3904)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Schools and learning environments (1602)

Awards

• 2020 to 2021 - DVCR Completion Award
• 2018 to 2020 - Australian Postgraduate Award

Memberships

• Queensland College of Teachers - Full Registration
• Teacher Registration Board of the Northern Territory - Full Registration

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

• Burnett G and Suluma W (in press) Formal education in Nauru: A Pacific development assistance story. Asia Pacific Viewpoint,
• Taylor N, Maiwaikatakata T, Biukoto E, Suluma W and Coll R (2008) Improving Elementary Science Education in a Developing Country: A Case Study from Fiji. International Journal of Educational Reform, 17 (2). pp. 133-152

Conference Papers

• Suluma W (2008) Primary Science Curriculum. The constraints and limitations of learning and teaching on an 'over-stuffed' science curriculum: A case study from Fiji. Science Mathematics and Technology Education: Beyond Cultural Boundaries: Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Science, Mathematics and Technology Education. 16-19 January 2008, Udon Thani, Thailand

Other research outputs

• Suluma W (2019) Remote Indigenous students in Australia & boarding school: The question of capital benefits. [Presented at the Think Indigenous Education International Conference 2019]. 20-22 March 2019, Edmonton, Canada