How can teachers adapt to an education sector transformed by artificial intelligence (AI)?
That’s the question Federation member Tim Davis Frank will be looking to answer as recipient of the 2025 Eric Pearson Study Grant.
A teacher at Randwick High School, Tim will use the grant to explore an ambitious study into how teachers and education policy makers can adapt to the systemic changes AI is bringing to the profession.
In his research proposal, Tim argues that the increasing presence of AI in education “represents one of the most significant and immediate challenges to the professional status of teachers”.
“The speed and scale of this technological shift risks undermining teachers’ professional autonomy and the established principles of quality public education,” Tim’s proposal states.
By examining how teachers’ unions and education departments are responding to AI, Tim’s research “will aim to protect job security, working conditions, and professional standing of teachers into the future”.
Tim has an extensive history of involvement and activism in Federation. He is President of Eastern Suburbs Teachers Association and the Health and Safety Representative and Union Committee member at Randwick High School. This term he is working as an elected Relief Officer in Federation’s Research and Industrial section. Tim has also worked as an organiser for the Australian Education Union (Northern Territory branch).
Tim plans to travel to education conferences in Melbourne, Singapore, Paris, New Zealand and the United Kingdom as part of the project, and will receive up to $23,000 for travel, accommodation and expenses associated with the study.
The Eric Pearson Study Grant is awarded annually to a Federation member who is committed to examining a topic of industrial and professional relevance to the union and our members.
Click here to read previous Eric Pearson reports here.