Mark Barrow
| Mark Barrow | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| 🏳️ Nationality | New Zealand |
| 💼 Occupation | Academic, Administrator |
| Known for | Dean of the Faculty of Education and Social Work (2018–2024) |
Mark Barrow is a New Zealand academic and higher education administrator. He was Dean of the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland from 2018 to 2024, and has been a public commentator on teacher education and higher education policy.[1]
Early career
Barrow began his career as a secondary school science teacher in New Zealand.[1] He later worked as an academic director and developer in the country’s polytechnic sector, focusing on curriculum and teaching innovation.[1]
University of Auckland
Barrow joined the University of Auckland in 2007 as Associate Dean Academic in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.[1]
In 2018 he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Education and Social Work, where he oversaw staffing, programme renewal, and the faculty’s relocation to a purpose-built facility on the City Campus in 2023.[2] The move was marked by a blessing led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, where Barrow described the relocation as integrating education "in the heart of the University."[3] He also highlighted the sustainability aspects of the refurbishment of Building 201.[4]
As Dean, Barrow also supported staff advancement, noting in 2022 that a record number of staff from the faculty had been promoted to professor rank.[5]
National leadership
Barrow served as Chair of the New Zealand Council of Deans of Education. In this role he contributed to policy discussions, including welcoming the government’s literacy and numeracy strategy on behalf of all university deans of education.[6]
He has also been quoted in national media on the quality of teacher education. In 2024 he told Radio New Zealand that a quarter of new primary teachers failing basic maths standards was "not surprising" given the lack of mandatory entry requirements in numeracy for teacher education programmes.[7][8]
Research
Barrow’s research interests include higher education, professional identity, and academic development. His work has applied poststructural approaches to academic practice, particularly around identity and power relations in universities.[1]
Selected publication:
- Barrow, M., & Grant, B. (2012). "The 'truth' of academic development: How did it get to be about 'teaching and learning'?" Higher Education Research & Development, 31(4), 465–477. doi:10.1080/07294360.2011.559193.[9]
Public engagement
Barrow has written opinion pieces on education policy for the University of Auckland’s news platform, including commentary on funding and teacher education challenges.[10][11]
Criticism
Some restructuring of the Faculty of Education and Social Work during Barrow’s tenure drew criticism from staff and commentators. The academic blog *Open Inquiry* described the period as one of significant pressure and change within the University.[12]
Philanthropy
In 2020 the University of Auckland established the Mark Barrow Education and Social Work Scholarship, funded by Barrow, to support master’s students undertaking research addressing social and educational inequality.[13]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Professor Mark Barrow – The University of Auckland". University of Auckland. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ↑ "World-class building ready to welcome Education faculty to the City Campus". University of Auckland. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ↑ "Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei lead blessing of University building". University of Auckland. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ↑ "Shining example of sustainable refurbishment". University of Auckland. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ↑ "Record number of new professors across education and social work". University of Auckland. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ↑ "New strategy welcomed by university education deans". University of Auckland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ↑ "Auckland University dean of education on new primary teachers failing to pass NCEA level one". RNZ Morning Report. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ↑ "New teachers fail to make the grade on maths and science knowledge – study". RNZ. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ↑ Barrow, Mark; Grant, Barbara (2012). "The 'truth' of academic development: How did it get to be about 'teaching and learning'?". Higher Education Research & Development. 31 (4): 465–477. doi:10.1080/07294360.2011.559193.
- ↑ "Biggest challenges facing education". University of Auckland. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ↑ "Budget boost: promising but could do better". University of Auckland. 8 May 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ↑ "Under pressure at the University of Auckland". Open Inquiry. 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ↑ "Mark Barrow Education and Social Work Scholarship". University of Auckland. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
External links
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