UC Spark

Associate Professor Missy Morton

School of Educational Studies and Leadership

Fields of Research

  • Disability studies in education
  • Discourses of research in education
  • Qualitative and participatory research methodologies
  • Initial teacher education and professional learning for inclusive education
  • Curriculum, pedagogy and assessment for inclusive education
  • Sociology of special education

Researcher Summary

My research interests include inclusive education, the sociology of special education, and disability studies in education. My recent projects and publications look at structures and practices that support teachers and schools to welcome all children, young people and their families and provide a quality education for all students.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Research Projects

Research Groups

Key Methodologies

  • Participatory action research and evaluation
  • Disability studies
  • Qualitative research

Affiliations

Research Service

  • Collaborative Action Research Network - NZ (2009-present)
  • 2008-2010 Chair, University of Canterbury Educational Research Human Ethics Committee (2008-2010)
  • National Council member, New Zealand Association for Educational Research (2007-2009)
  • College of Education Research Committee (2006-present)

Publications


Journal Article
  • Morton, M., Higgins, N., MacArthur, J. and Phillips, H. (2013) Introduction to the special issue - making inclusive education happen: Ideas for sustainable change. International Journal of Inclusive Education (early access online) http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2011.602289.
  • Macartney, B. and Morton, M. (2013) Kinds of participation: Teacher and special education perceptions and practices of 'inclusion' in early childhood and primary school settings. International Journal of Inclusive Education (early access online) http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2011.602529.
  • Morton, M., McMenamin, T., Moore, G. and Molloy, C. (2012) Assessment that matters: The transformative potential of narrative assessment for students with special education needs. Assessment Matters 4: 110-128.
  • Morton, M. (2012) Using DSE to "Notice, Recognize and Respond" to Tools of Exclusion and Opportunities for Inclusion in New Zealand. Review of Disability Studies: An International Journal 8(3): 25-34.
  • Penman, D., Pearce, A. and Morton, M. (2011) From competition to collaboration: Challenges for New Zealand science. Policy Quarterly 7(4): 44-49.
  • Connor, D.J., Gabel, S.L., Gallagher, D.J. and Morton, M. (2008) Disability studies and inclusive education - implications for theory, research and practice. International Journal of Inclusive Education 12(5-6): 441-457. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13603110802377482.
  • Fletcher, J., Parkhill, F., Fa'afoi, A. and Morton, M. (2006) Poto He Anga: Collaboration and Consultation in Pasifika Research. Qualitative Research Journal 6(1): 36-50.
  • Biklen, D., Morton, M.W., Gold, D., Berrigan, C. and Swaminathan, S. (1992) Facilitated communication: Implications for individuals with autism. Topics in Language Disorders 12(4): 1 - 28.
  • Biklen, D., Morton, M.W., Saha, S.N., Duncan, J., Gold, D., Hardardottir, M., Karna, E., O'Connor, S. and Rao, S. (1991) “I Amn Not a Utistivc on Thje Typ” (“I'm Not Autistic on the Typewriter”). Disability, Handicap and Society 6(3): 161-180. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02674649166780231.
Authored Book
  • Mills, D. and Morton, M. (2013) Ethnography in education. London: Sage. 200.
Chapter in Book
  • Morton, M., Rietveld, C., Guerin, A., McIlroy, A. and Duke, J. (2012) Curriculum, assessment, teaching and learning for all. In S. Carrington and J. MacArthur (Ed.), Teaching in Inclusive School Communities: 270-293. Brisbane: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Morton, M., Duke, J., Todd, N., Higgins, N., Mercer, L. and Kimber, M. (2012) The social and political underpinnings of the inclusive education movement. In S. Carrington and J. MacArthur (Ed.), Teaching in Inclusive School Communities: 39-64. Brisbane: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Carrington, S., MacArthur, J., Kearney, A., Kimber, M., Mercer, L., Morton, M. and Rutherford, G. (2012) Towards an inclusive education for all. In S. Carrington and J. MacArthur (Ed.), Teaching in Inclusive School Communities: 3-38. Brisbane: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Morton, M. (2012) Who will be heard? Qualitative research and legal decisions about facilitated communication. In S.R. Steinberg and G.S. Cannella (Ed.), Critical qualitative research: A reader: 246-256. New York: Peter Lang.
  • Gordon, L. and Morton, M. (2008) Inclusive Education and School Choice: Democratic Rights in a Devolved System. In S.L. Gabel and S. Danforth (Ed.), Disability and the politics of education: An international reader: 237-250. New York: Peter Lang.
  • Morton, M. (2006) Disabling research? In C. Mutch (Ed.), Challenging the Notion of "Other": Reframing Research in the Aotearoa New Zealand Context: 29-44. Wellington: NZCER Press.
  • Morton, M. and Gordon, L. (2005) What counts as research? Practitioner research as counter discourse. In R. Smith & J. Jesson (Ed.), Punishing the disciplines - the PBRF regime: Evaluating the position of education - where to from here?: 95-100. Auckland: Faculty of Education, The University of Auckland.
  • Morton, M. (2000) Unhappy families: Violence in the lives of girls and women. In R. Traustidóttir and K. Johnson (Ed.), Women with intellectual disabilities: Finding a place in the world: 63-69. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
  • Morton, M. and Munford, R. (1998) Re/presenting difference: Women and intellectual handicap.. In R. Du Plessis and L. Alice (Ed.), Feminist thought in Aotearoa/New Zealand: 164-171. Auckland: Oxford University Press.
Report for External Body
  • Morton, M. and McMenamin, T. (2009) Families Choices: Choosing School(s). Part 1: Literature review, interviews and design of the questionnaire. CCS Disability Action. 35pp. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/5220.
  • Morton, M., Davis, K., Molloy, S., Moore, G., Palmer, R. and Wright, J. (2009) Narrative assessment: A guide for teachers. A resource to accompany the Curriculum Exemplars for learners with special education needs. Ministry of Education. 46pp.
  • Morton, M. and Gordon, L. (2006) Inclusive education in Aotearoa : what are we doing in initial teacher education, professional learning and development? Final report to NZCCS. NZCCS Disability Action. 22pp. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/2580.
  • Bourke, R., Bevan-Brown, J., Carroll-Lind, J., Cullen, J., Kearney, A., McAlpine, D., Mentis, M., Poskitt, J., O’Neill, J., Prochnow, J., Bevan-Brown, W., Grant, S., Morton, M. and Ward, A. (2002) Special Education 2000: Monitoring and evaluation of the policy. Final Report Phase Three. Report to the Ministry of Education. Ministry of Education.
  • Bourke, R., Bevan-Brown, J., Carroll-Lind, J., Cullen, J., Kearney, A., McAlpine, D., Mentis, M., Poskitt, J., O’Neill, J., Prochnow, J., Bevan-Brown, W., Grant, S., Morton, M. and Ward, A. (2000) Special Education 2000: Monitoring and evaluation of the policy. Final Report Phase Two. Report to the Ministry of Education. Ministry of Education.
  • Bourke, R., Bevan-Brown, J., Carroll-Lind, J., Cullen, J., Kearney, A., McAlpine, D., Mentis, M., Poskitt, J., O’Neill, J., Prochnow, J., Ryba, K., Bevan-Brown, W., Grant, S. and Morton, M. (1999) Special Education 2000: Monitoring and evaluation of the policy. Phase One report. Ministry of Education. Ministry of Education.
Conference Contribution - Full conference paper
  • Morton, M. (2012) A call to ethnography: In/forming everyday classroom practice and advocacy. Hamilton, New Zealand: Contemporary Ethnography Across the Disciplines (CEAD), 21-23 Nov 2012.
  • Morton, M. (2012) Getting to know you: Learning from narrative assessment. Vancouver, Canada: American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting (AERA2012), 13-17 Apr 2012.
  • Morton, M. (2012) Using DSE to 'Notice, Recognize and Respond' to Tools of Exclusion and Opportunities for Inclusion in New Zealand. Hunter College, City University of New York, NY, USA: Disability Studies in Education, 25-27 May 2012.
  • Morton, M. (2011) Examining assessment: Using the lens of Disability Studies in Education. National-Louis University, Chicago, IL, USA: 11th Annual Second City Conference on Disability Studies in Education, 12-15 May 2011.
  • Morton, M. (2011) Qualitative inquiry under cross-examination. Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA: 7th International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, 18-21 May 2011.
  • Morton, M. (2011) Thinking, teaching and learning like an ethnographer: Possibilities for emancipatory teacher inquiry. Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA: 7th International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, 19-21 May 2011.
  • Morton, M. and McMenamin, T. (2010) Learning together: Collaboration to develop curriculum, pedagogy and assessment that promote belonging. Queen's University, Belfast, UK: Inclusive and Supportive Education Congress (ISEC 2010), 2-5 Aug 2010.
  • Macartney, B. and Morton, M. (2009) Kinds of participation: Teacher and special education perceptions and practices of 'inclusion' in early childhood and primary school settings. Wellington, New Zealand: IEAG and Standards Plus Making Inclusive Education Happen Conference, 28-30 Sep 2009.
  • Morton, M. (2009) Who will be heard? Using Minow's approaches to legal analysis to understand court decisions about facilitated communication. Syracuse University, New York, NY, USA: 9th Annual Second City Conference on Disability Studies in Education, 1-3 May 2009.
  • Moore, G., Molloy, S., Morton, M., Davis, K. and Wright, J. (2008) Narrative Assessment: Identity and equity for disabled students. Cambridge, UK: 34th International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA) Annual Conference, 7-12 Sep 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/2619.
  • Morton, M. (2008) Silenced in the court: Meanings of research and difference in the US legal system. London, UK: International Sociology of Education Conference, 2-4 Jan 2008.
  • Morton, M., Moore, G. and Molloy, S. (2008) The New Zealand Curriculum: A mechanism for inclusion or tool of exclusion? New York City, NY, USA: Disability Studies in Education (DSE 2008), 22-24 Mar 2008.
  • Morton, M., Molloy, S., Moore, G. and Davis, K. (2008) With different eyes: Disability, assessment and identity. Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand: New Zealand Association for Research in Education (NZARE) 2008 National Conference, 24-27 Nov 2008.
  • Higgins, N., MacArthur, J. and Morton, M. (2007) Barriers to inclusion: Knowledge negotiation in New Zealand. Chicago, IL, USA: Special Interest Group Session, Acted Out: Censorship of Qualitative Research in the Age of "Scientifically-based research" at American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting 2007 (AERA), 9-13 Apr 2007.
  • Morton, M., Moore, G. and Molloy, S. (2007) Developing a curriculum assessment resource to support the learning of all students. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand: 2007 New Zealand Association for Educational Research (NZARE) Conference: Education in the Pacific, 4-7 Dec 2007.
  • Morton, M. (2007) Policy and professional development efforts towards inclusive curriculum and assessment in New Zealand. Chicago, IL, USA: 7th Annual Disability Studies in Education Conference 2007, 7-9 Apr 2007.
  • Gordon, L. and Morton, M. (2007) School Choice: The Possibilities for Inclusive Education in a Devolved School System. Chicago, IL, USA: American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting 2007, 9-13 Apr 2007.
  • Morton, M. and Gordon, L. (2006) In the Public Good? Preparing Teachers to Be Inclusive Educators: A New Zealand Research Project. San Francisco, CA, USA: American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting (AERA 2006), 7-11 Apr 2006.
  • Gordon, L. and Morton, M. (2006) School choice? Whose choice? Rotorua, New Zealand: 2006 New Zealand Association for Educational Research National Conference (NZARE), 4-8 Dec 2006.
  • Morton, M. and Gibson, P. (2003) The Rhetoric and Practice of Partnership: Experiences in the Context of Disability. Ministry of Social Development, Wellington, New Zealand: Connecting Policy Research and Practice: The Social Policy Research and Evaluation Conference, 29-30 April, 2003.
Additional Publications
  • Morton, M. (2011) Disability Studies in Education: An agenda to support inclusive education. University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand: Disability Studies: Everybody In, 28-30 Nov 2011.
  • Morton, M. (2010) (Re)making the case for participant observation in educational ethnography. University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand: Contemporary Ethnography Across the Disciplines (CEAD) Hui, 17-19 Nov 2010.
  • Morton, M. (2010) Creating spaces in unexpected places: Curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and partnership. Ghent University, Belgium: 10th Annual Second City Conference on Disability Studies in Education, 28-30 May 2010.
  • Morton, M. (2010) Ethics, innovation and participation in action research in education. Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK: 2010 International Conference of the Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN), 5-7 Nov 2010.
  • Morton, M. (2010) Narrative assessment: Supporting curriculum access for all. Riga, Latvia: RIGA 2010: International Conference on Inclusive Education, 11-14 Jul 2010.
  • Morton, M. and Guerin, A. (2009) We are All Learners: Curriculum, Pedagogy & Assessment to Promote Belonging. Syracuse, NY, USA: 9th Annual Second City Conference on Disability Studies in Education, 1-3 May 2009.
  • Morton, M. (2007) Symposium: Disabling Research? Chicago, IL, USA: American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting 2007 (AERA), 9-13 Apr 2007.
  • Morton, M. (2006) Silenced in the court: Facilitated communication and the meanings of disability research in the legal setting. PhD, Syracuse University, New York, NY, USA. http://surface.syr.edu/tl_etd/43/.