About Us

Opened in 2015, the Centre for Research in Assessment and Digital Learning (CRADLE) investigates improvements in higher education assessment in the context of a rapidly expanding digital environment.








Led by Alfred Deakin Professor David Boud – currently the world’s leading higher education researcher – and Professor Phillip Dawson, CRADLE’s main role is to research assessment practices in the changing settings of education, which are increasingly embracing digital learning.
Our Research
Our underpinning premise is improving learning in higher and professional education.
We have three broad and intersecting research themes.

Assessing for Learning

Learning in a digital world

Learning through, and for, work
Research Programs
The digital world and its impact on learning and teaching | Feedback and feedback practices |
Learning in, and for, the workplace | Evaluative judgement |
Assessment security and academic integrity | Inclusion and belonging in a digital world |
Representation in and beyond assessment |
Throughout these programs we use cross-cutting approaches, including innovative methodological and theoretical approaches and knowledge transition. We collaborate with Deakin faculties and divisions and also work with a range of industry partners and international collaborators.
Learn more
About the Blog
The CRADLE team have created this blog to provide up-to-date news about the latest assessment and digital learning research, our upcoming seminars and seminar reviews, and our annual symposium news items.
What’s in our blog?
Contact Us

CRADLE Co-Director
Professor David Boud

CRADLE Co-Director
Professor Phill Dawson