CQUniversity Associate Professor Mike Horsley was re-elected Vice President of the International Association for Research on Textbooks and Educational Media (IARTEM), at its biannual conference in Lithuania recently.

IARTEM is the peak international body in the field of textbooks and educational media research and development, with more than 160 active members from 35 countries.

L-R CQUniversity researchers Angelina Ambrosetti, Mike Horsley, Susan Richardson and Kathy Bauer made key presentations at a major international symposium on learning materials

As Director of CQUniversity's prestigious Learning and Teaching Education Research Centre (LTERC), based at the Noosa Campus, Associate Professor Horsley led a team of CQUniversity researchers who presented varying research papers at the IARTEM conference.

He said his re-appointment capped off a hugely successful conference for CQUniversity and reflected its reputation for cutting-edge learning research materials.

"CQUniversity is recognised globally for being at the forefront of textbooks and educational media research," Associate Professor Horsley said.

"This was again apparent at the IARTEM conference, with our presentations all warmly received and many participants approaching our researchers about possible collaborations.

"We have already arranged for several PhD and other research students and professors to visit CQUniversity's Noosa and Mackay campuses.

"This will deepen our ties with the international research community and ensure our research and publications are more complete and applicable to an international audience."

Associate Professor Horsley said presentations by CQUniversity researchers Kathy Bauer and Teresa Moore on the representation of Indigenous people in Australian teaching and learning materials garnered particular interest.

"Both Kathy and Teresa have undertaken research on how first nation's people are portrayed in educational materials," Associate Professor Horsley said.

"The quality of their research and presentations led to numerous approaches from other researchers wanting to come to Australia to work with them.

"All countries struggle with the education of Indigenous people and any insights that can allow better delivery will benefit those children - so this is a very important field."

IARTEM President Professor Susanne Knudsen praised Associate Professor Horsley and his team for their work in supporting IARTEM in Australia.

"CQUniversity is the most important contact for IARTEM in Australia, thanks mainly to Mike Horsley and his work," Professor Knudsen said.

"Associate Professor Horsley was the first contact for IARTEM to Australia, and as the vice-president of IARTEM he has a significant influence on the organisation.

"He started our referee-based eJournal and also plays a valuable role as an editor of the IARTEM volumes, which are published after each conference."

Associate Professor Horsley was also re-elected as lead editor of the IARTEM eJournal, while Ms Bauer was elected to an IARTEM committee that advises on board appointments.

Other CQUniversity staff who presented at the conference included Professor Bruce Knight, Jo Dargusch and Susan Richardson; they were joined by Richard Walker from the University of Sydney.

As a non-board member of IARTEM, Professor Knight also chaired the IARTEM general assembly of researchers.