Author: Lien Pham

Dr Lien Pham is an independent researcher with over 40 publications in education and rights-based development, political participation in non-democracies, diaspora and postcolonialism. She is currently serving as Director of Research and Evaluation at Thrive Networks/East Meets West Foundation delivering a portfolio of projects and studies in climate change adaptation in Southeast Asia.

How schools respond to COVID-19 disruption of Year 12 HSC says a lot about entrenched inequality in Australia’s education system

August 11, 2021

The COVID-19 lock down in Greater Sydney has thrown chaos in the HSC trials, but how schools choose to handle this disruption says a lot about inequality of Australia’s education system, which is deeply rooted in the mindset and practices of teachers and principals. On Tuesday 1oth August, the principal of Gosford High School, a … More How schools respond to COVID-19 disruption of Year 12 HSC says a lot about entrenched inequality in Australia’s education system

MasterChef Australia and the reality of reality TV

June 14, 2021

I have been watching MasterChef Australia for some time. One part of me is drawn to the idea of watching ordinary dishes turned into something so remarkable simply through the art of plating. Another part of me enjoys the competitive tasks and people’s creativity. It’s hard to not like a show where ordinary people are … More MasterChef Australia and the reality of reality TV

International education, coronavirus, and the myths of the market

March 19, 2020

International education was the first sector in Australia that felt the economic impacts of coronavirus. The problem related to Australia’s travel ban that have kept Chinese international students from coming to Australia. For days, the media headlined the crisis, emphasising the significance of international education as third largest export in Australia and revenue source for … More International education, coronavirus, and the myths of the market