DrJoe Ferguson

Dr. Joseph Ferguson is a Lecturer in Science Education within the School of Education at Deakin University.

Based at the Melbourne, Burwood campus on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, Joseph’s deep connection with Deakin began in 2012 as a PhD student. This foundational period led to a decade of impactful teaching and research in casual and fixed-term roles before he transitioned into his current ongoing academic position in 2023.

Grounded in foundational, school-based experience across both primary and secondary contexts, Joseph’s academic work bridges the gap between complex theory and classroom practice. He teaches across both Bachelor of Education and Master of Teaching courses, preparing the next generation of primary and secondary teachers in science, technology, and climate change education. His current research investigates pragmatist semiotic approaches to teaching science and climate change education, alongside the innovative use of video and film methodologies in design-based research. He is deeply passionate about how philosophy can transform educational practice, striving to make science and climate change education inclusive, engaging, and transformative for all young people.

Beyond his research and teaching, Joseph contributes to the broader academic and institutional community as an Associate Editor for the Australian Journal of Environmental Education and as a School of Education Representative for both the Human Ethics Advisory Group (HEAG) at Deakin University and the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee (DUHREC). Joseph is also a long-standing member of the Centre for Research for Educational Impact (REDI) at Deakin University.