Job opportunities

Interview with Adrian Beavis

Research Director, Policy Analysis & Program Evaluation

Joining us as a senior researcher in 1992, Adrian is one of our longer serving team members. Recognising his expertise, he progressed through the research ranks to become a principal researcher. He took a brief sojourn with the Smith Family in 2006, only to be welcomed back in 2007, to take up his current role as Research Director.

Let’s get to know our long time friend a little better…

Adrian, what do you do in your role?

AB: I seek to ensure that staff within the research group are engaged in interesting and consequential work.

HR Helper: Adrian’s work stretches across a broad range of policy and program evaluation activities, such as public health, vocational choice, and the arts – “a happy grab bag” as he describes it.

What do you love most about your role?

AB: The most rewarding aspects of the job involve the analysis and reporting of data, that tell an interesting or unexpected story, and which are important to policy people, or practitioners. I also aim to find ways of extending the scope of the work undertaken by the research group into new or developing areas.

How did you end up in your current field?

AB: Serendipity.

HR Helper:…along with a career that has included work with the Victorian Ministry of Education, State Training Board and the Centre of Program Evaluation.

How would you describe ACER, its culture and its people?

AB: For those engaged in research, ACER provides considerable autonomy. Embedded within this there is a strong sense of trust that work is done well, and that if there are problems these will be acknowledged and addressed in a collaborative spirit.

When you’re not busy enjoying life at ACER, what keeps you occupied? Any hobbies?

AB: Many bits and pieces but nothing of consequence or note.

HR Helper: I think this may be Adrian avoiding reference to his collection of early model Volvos!