Dr Dowden's research interests include: reform of schooling in the middle grades (Grades 5-9), junior secondary curriculum and pedagogy (Grades 8-9), curriculum integration and allied curriculum designs hosting rich pedagogies, and the scholarship of learning and teaching.
Dr Dowden's contribution to research has been recognised through a number of awards including: the New Zealand Association for Research in Education's Sutton-Smith Doctoral Award 'for excellence in a doctoral thesis in education' (NZARE, 2007), a Faculty of Education Research Award for Early Career Researchers 'in recognition of his significant contribution to research in 2009-2011' (University of Tasmania, 2012), and a Faculty of Education Research Merit Certificate 'in recognition of his significant contribution to the Faculty's research publication output' (UTas, 2012)
