Graeme Aitken is the Dean of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland and has held that position since October 2008. He was appointed to the university in 1996 as inaugural Director of Teacher Education after fourteen years as a secondary teacher and four years as a teacher educator. In 2001 he was awarded a Distinguished Teaching Award for his contribution to establishing the secondary teacher education programme at the university. His interest in the Teach First model of initial teacher education developed from his establishment of this programme which was based on strong university-school partnerships.
Graeme’s research has focused on teaching effectiveness (in schools and more recently in higher education), and on curriculum development and design. He aims through his research to offer insights into practice that help decision-making by policy makers, leaders and teachers in the best interests of students and their learning. His work on teaching effectiveness has formed the basis of more than a hundred presentations to conferences and schools.