Doctor of Professional Practice learner Jeremy Taylor says his Capable NZ experience has given him the chance to carry out research that makes a tangible impact in the real world.

Jeremy’s career has focused on workplace learning and transnational education. Capable NZ allowed him to develop a research project that directly connected to his professional environment.

“Before joining Capable NZ, I had spent many years in transnational education, developing curriculum and faculty training, but I was interested in developing my approach through a doctoral qualification,” says Jeremy.

He’s previously worked as a senior lecturer and Director of Staff Development in China, where he supported educators in improving their teaching and professional practice. He’s also had his own training company, where he worked on developing front-line managers.

“Throughout my career, I have sought to improve the way education can meaningfully connect to the workplace,” he says.

Jeremy says his experience at Capable NZ reinforced his belief that research should not just be theoretical but must be actively tested and applied in real-world settings.

“One of the highlights of my study was the fieldwork I was able to complete in China, where I worked closely with learners, educators, and programme managers to assess how transnational education has changed over the past five years.”

This fieldwork gave him an opportunity to refine his approach to curriculum design, faculty training, and learner support. Beyond the fieldwork itself, he integrated his research findings into applied training sessions, where he worked directly with the two institutions in his study to identify strategies that would have a positive impact.

“This approach ensured that my research had a tangible impact on professional learning and operational strategies,” he says.

Jeremy says studying at Capable NZ has fundamentally changed the way he approaches professional learning and pushed him to question some of his long-held assumptions.

“I had always been confident in the effectiveness of certain models, but working directly with educators and learners in a research setting challenged me to see beyond frameworks and focus on the realities of teaching and learning in cross-cultural settings.”

Jeremy says Capable NZ is the perfect home for professionals who want to take a structured, reflective approach to their learning.

“The ability for the learning to be connected with real-world practice ensures that research is not separate from work but plays an active part in the process. Any of the Capable programmes are particularly valuable for learners looking to refine their approach and implement meaningful change within their workplace.”

Jeremy says it’s not just about completing a qualification.

“It is about refining how you approach your work and colleagues. Be prepared to challenge what you think you know, test new ideas and be open to engaging deeply in the process. The more involved you are, the more valuable the experience will be at the end.”