Peter Ellerton

Dr Peter Ellerton is a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy in the School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry at the University of Queensland. He earned a Bachelor of Education from Griffith University, a Postgraduate Diploma from the University of Queensland, a Masters (Coursework) of Contemporary Science from the Australian National University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Queensland in 2019. His PhD thesis, titled 'Teaching for thinking: explaining pedagogical expertise in the development of the skills, values and virtues of inquiry,' explores pedagogical expertise in fostering inquiry skills. Ellerton founded the University of Queensland Critical Thinking Project and serves as its Director for Curriculum and Pedagogy. Previously, he was Head of Experimental Sciences at the Queensland Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology, a high school for gifted students offering the International Baccalaureate program. He advised the International Baccalaureate Organisation on developing the Nature of Science subject, contributed to Queensland science syllabuses especially Physics, chaired the Philosophy and Reason panel for the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority, and acted as Chief Examiner for External Physics in Queensland.

Ellerton's research focuses on critical thinking pedagogy, public reasoning, the public understanding of science, decision-making, and critical thinking in politics. Key publications include 'Deconstructing climate misinformation to identify reasoning errors' (Environmental Research Letters, 2018), 'Principles of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in STEM education: using expert wisdom and research to frame educational practice' (Education Sciences, 2022), 'On critical thinking and content knowledge: a critique of the assumptions of cognitive load theory' (Thinking Skills and Creativity, 2022), the book chapter 'Critical thinking' in Teaching Middle Years (Routledge, 2025), and 'Metacognition and critical thinking: some pedagogical imperatives' in Palgrave handbook of critical thinking in higher education (2015). He received the Australian Skeptics prize for critical thinking in 2008 for developing educational resources. Ellerton has appeared on ABC Radio National's 'The Philosopher’s Zone' and 'Ockham’s Razor' discussing philosophy and critical thinking.

Professional Email: peter.ellerton@uq.edu.au