DrPhil Cummins

In his role at the University of Sydney, Phil is particularly focused on character education and is the Founder and Director of the Sydney Character Initiative:

The Sydney Character Initiative is a community of inquiry and practice in character research, education and leadership for schools, tertiary and residential communities, industry, youth impact organisations, and social enterprises. Inspired by a distinctly Australian perspective of equity and excellence, we help form people in pursuit of lives that are worthwhile and well-lived. We are a bold new venture of the Sydney School of Education and Social Work, grounded in the living history of 175 years of leadership by the University of Sydney, Australia’s oldest university. Supported by generous philanthropic giving, our work is grounded in evidence gathered from the rigorous inquiry and meaningful application of research, education programs that are based on formation and experience in community, and leadership enhanced by rich conversation and reflection. We do this by:

1. Forming citizens and leaders of character: generating a large network of citizens and leaders who are better equipped to contribute and lead for and with character across a range of settings and institutions.

2. Promoting practical wisdom and thoughtful debate: building, publishing and sharing a body of theoretical, empirical and practitioner knowledge, understanding and practice in character and its formation, character education, and leadership through publications and a policy platform that influence the wider discourse on character at local, national and international levels.

3. Building meaningful legacy: identifying local and strategic partners and agencies around Australia, the South Pacific and the world at large to consolidate and grow the imperative for character across society.

You can learn more about the Sydney Character Initiative here: 

https://www.sydney.edu.au/arts/our-research/research-areas/education-and-social-work/sydney-character-initiative.html

Phil works to support the enrolment of PhD students with an interest in character education and has experience in supervision of PhD students in educational leadership and policy.