Mei Kuin Lai University of Auckland, New Zealand
Mei Kuin Lai completed her doctorate at the University of Auckland and has since worked as an education consultant to support practitioners (teachers, principals, administrators) and Ministry of Education officials as they develop inquiry as part of their daily lives. Her current role at the Faculty of Education at the University of Auckland involves bringing the research and practice worlds together by supporting practitioners and education consultants in embedding inquiry into their current roles and by developing collaborative researcher-practitioner projects that improve teaching and learning. She has had extensive experience in training practitioners, particularly those involved in Ministry of Education School Improvement Initiatives, to effectively analyze and use data on student learning to improve school practices. Her work encompasses a variety of school settings across New Zealand, from multicultural urban settings to small rural communities. She is currently in charge of developing a training program for education consultants (School Support Services Facilitators) at the Faculty of Education to develop inquiry as part of their roles.