Dr Adrian W. Chew is a Lecturer in the School of Education at UNSW Sydney. His research focuses on educational research methodology, particularly the philosophical assumptions, logics of reasoning, and methodological practices through which educational knowledge is generated.

Drawing on abductive reasoning, non-representational theory, and emerging methodological perspectives, his scholarship critically examines conventional approaches to educational inquiry. He is particularly interested in moving beyond research as a means of representing or explaining existing educational realities towards understanding research as a generative practice capable of enacting new ideas, possibilities, and ways of knowing.

His methodological interests extend to participatory design, educational policy analysis, and program evaluation, with an emphasis on developing theoretically informed and contextually responsive approaches to educational inquiry. Across these areas, he explores how methodological choices shape the questions researchers ask, the knowledge they produce, and the possibilities for educational change.

He applies these methodological perspectives to contemporary educational challenges, including the responsible integration of generative artificial intelligence in education, the experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) students in higher education, and gifted education. These contexts provide opportunities to investigate how educational practices, institutional arrangements, and emerging technologies interact, while developing innovative approaches to researching complex educational phenomena.

His broader research agenda seeks to advance educational inquiry that is philosophically grounded, methodologically rigorous, and generative of new possibilities for educational research and practice.

Research Interests

Educational Research Methodology

• Philosophical foundations of educational inquiry
• Abductive reasoning and the logic of research
• Non-representational theory and research enactments
• Methodological innovation and generative approaches to inquiry
• Participatory design and collaborative research methodologies
• Educational policy analysis and program evaluation

Applications of Methodological Research

• Responsible use of generative AI in education
• AI-enabled teaching, learning, and educational research
• Experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) students in higher education
• Equity and inclusion in educational settings
• Gifted education and talent development
• Teacher professional learning and educational change

Research Collaboration

Adrian welcomes opportunities for interdisciplinary and collaborative research that advances methodological thinking and addresses complex educational challenges. He is particularly interested in collaborations that explore alternative logics of inquiry, develop innovative research approaches, and examine the generative potential of research in educational settings.