Ms Lisa Davies

Welcome to my home page.

Since 2004 I have been researching and teaching at UniSA in the areas of educational psychology, adult education, organisational learning, organisational management and learning theories. Prior to joining the UniSA, I was engaged in education for over 10 years teaching adolescents and adults in vocational education and training programs. I also facilitated management education in both the private and public sectors. I was the Human Resources Manager in a software development organisation in South Australia for 8 years and was also a management consultant in the private and public sectors.

My current teaching is focussed on adult learning, organisational learning and learning theory. My teaching interests focus on the modelling and practice of student centred learning and experiential learning as a key factors in student engagement.

My current research interests include investigating the nexus between behaviourist, cognitive and social/situated learning theories and their relevance to workplace learning.

I am the associate supervisor for Brian Crossman’s EdD, Are we being transformed yet? A critical analysis of adult educators: experiences of leading and being led

Centre for Research in Education, Equity and Work (CREEW)

• I currently both teach in and am the Co-ordinator for the following courses in the Bachelor, Graduate Diploma and Masters degrees in Education (Adult, Vocational and Workplace Learning): Work, Workers and Work Educators, Facilitating Learning with Adults, Leadership and Management in AVWL contexts, Workplaces and Learning, Work, Self and Society and Policy Discourses and Practices.
• I also teach in the following courses: Career Development Theory and Principles and Educational Psychology.

Adult Learning Australia

Australian Human Resources Institute

Universities Association of Lifelong Learning: Women in Lifelong Learning Network

The Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia

Former memberships include

Australian Association of Career Counsellors

Australian Sociological Association, Member 2004-2005

Australian Association for Psychological Type (Secretary, 1993-1996)

American Association for Psychological Type, Boston Area Chapter of the Association for Psychological Type

I have recently submitted my research doctorate, a qualitative investigation into organisational learning about depression in one area in the deregulated workplace sector in South Australia.

• Adult learning in social contexts; the community, the workplace and formal institutions
• Workplace learning and organisational cultures
• Leadership and management
• Educational psychology and theories of learning
• Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, approaches and epistemological bases

Davies, Lisa, 2009, ‘Unravelling managers’ attitudes towards work-based learning about depression: the value of qualitative research', conference paper at The 39th Annual Conference of the Standing Conference on University Teaching and Researching the Education of Adults, Really Useful research? Critical Perspectives on Evidence-Based Policy and Practice in Lifelong Learning, University of Cambridge, 7th - 9th July 2009.

Davies Lisa, 2009, ‘Using learning network theory to unravel managers’ attitudes to work-based education about depression’, conference paper at the Journal of Vocational Education and Training Eighth International Conference, Researching Vocational Education and Training, Worcester College, Oxford UK 3rd – 5th July 2009.

Davies, Lisa, 2008, ‘Workplace learning: depression as an “undisscussable” topic in eight information technology organisations in South Australia’. Australian Journal of Adult Learning, vol 48, No 2, July.

Davies, Lisa, 2007, book review of ‘Psychology, Six Perspectives’ (Dodge Fernald). Australian Journal of Adult Learning, November 2007.

Davies, Lisa, 2007, book review of ‘Building Professional Pride in Literacy’ (B Allen Quigley) Australian Journal of Adult Learning, July 2007.

Davies, Lisa, 2006, book review of ‘A coffee, a chat and a gentle transformation: a manual for trainers/facilitators in non-formal learning (Lewis-Fitzgerald)’, Australian Journal of Adult Learning, July 2006.

Davies, Lisa 2006, ‘Organisational learning about depression in the workplace: a community of practice of silence and avoidance’, Australian Journal of Adult Learning, vol 46, no.1, April 2006.

Davies, Lisa 2005, ‘Disquiet, dismay and disrepute: contemporary stigma and ignorance about employees with depression in some modern Australian workplaces’, paper given at the WHO Mental Health and the Millennium Development Goals at the Institute of Psychiatry Conference, Kings College, London UK, August 31st to September 2nd 2005.

Davies, Lisa 2005, ‘If I offered pizzas and beer after work, they might attend: utilising qualitative analysis to understand education about depression in the workplace’, paper given at the International Human Science Research Conference (IHSRC), Bournemouth University, Bournemouth UK, August 10th-13th 2005.

Davies, Lisa 2004, ‘If I put on free beer, they might come: organisational cultures and challenges to education about depression in the workplace’, proceedings of Bridging Cultures, The 44th Annual National Conference, Adult Learning Australia Inc, 18th - 20th November,2004, Adelaide, South Australia.

Davies, Lisa 2004, ‘All too short a date; discovering Type in later life', Australian Psychological Type Review, Vol 6, No 2, July 2004, pp 13-14.

Davies, Lisa 2003, ‘Learning “Soft Sciences” in a hard environment; some approaches to education about depression in disconfirming workplaces', proceedings of the 43rd National Conference Adult Learning Australia, University of Technology, Sydney, pp 152-163.

Davies, Lisa, 2003, Research report; 'Stigma and ignorance about working with employees with depression', Australian Journal of Adult Education, Vol 43, No 3, November 2003.

I am able to provide media comment in the following areas of expertise:

Discipline:

• Depression in workplaces
• Workplace learning
• Management theory
• Adult learning