David Andrich BSc, BEd (Hons.), MEd (UWA), PhD (Chic) FASSA graduated in Mathematics and Education before being appointed to the Faculty of Education at The University of Western Australia in 1968. He received a Fulbright Award for PhD study in the Measurement, Evaluation and Statistical Analysis Program at The University of Chicago where his dissertation earned the Susan Colver Rosenberger prize for the best research thesis in the Division of the Social Sciences in 1973. He returned to The University of Western Australia, and in 1985 was appointed Professor of Education at Murdoch University in Western Australia where he held the position of Dean for two periods. In 2007 he returned to The University of Western Australia as the Chapple Professor of Education. He is also Visiting Professor in the Department of Education, The University of Oxford and Department of Rehabilitation Studies, The University of Leeds. He has held major research grants from the Australian Research Council continuously since 1985. He was a Panel Member, Australian Research Council, 1998 – 2000. In 1990, he was elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences of Australia for his contributions to measurement in the social sciences. He is especially known for his work in modern test theory, and in particular Rasch measurement theory, where his work has ranged from the philosophy of measurement, through model exposition and interpretation, to software development.

Held Australian Research Council Grants continuously since 1985. Recent ARC grants include:

Andrich, D. (2011 – 2013) “Advancing the application of Rasch models to the level of tests: estimating person parameters independently of all test parameters.” ARC Discovery Grant. DP110103947. Grant amount: $210,000.

Humphry, S.M & Andrich, D (2011 – 2013) “Controlling empirical factors to measure educational achievement in invariant units.” ARC Linkage Grant LP110100590. Total grant amount: $715,000. Industry Partners: Curriculum Council of Western Australia and the Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority.

Andrich, D and Humphry, S. (2008 – 2010) “Maintaining a precise, invariant unit in state, national and international educational assessment.” ARC Linkage Grant. Total grant amount of $720,000. Industry partners: Curriculum Council of Western Australia and Pearson Testing & Assessment Australia, and National Performance Monitoring and Reporting.

He has also conducted commissioned research at both the national and state levels, and has been a member of expert advisory committees at national and state levels concerned with large-scale assessments.

In 2012, listed as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Western Australia by the West Australian newspaper.

Andrich, D Two-week Professional development Introduction and Advanced courses in Rasch measurement. January. Enrolment fee ($1500 per student). 20 enrolments.

Andrich, D and Marais, I International On-line professional development course: Introduction to Rasch measurement. Semester 2. Enrolment fee ($1000 per student). 26 Enrolments from 14 countries.

Andrich, D and Marais, I Masters level course: Introduction to Rasch Measurement of Modern Test Theory: 6 Enrolments. Semester 2.

Professional Development Workshops

Andrich, D., Marais, I. & Humphry, S. Theme of the Workshop The role of the arbitrary unit in the Rasch model and its various implications. ARC Linkage Grant Measurement Workshop 1-2 October 2008, Melbourne.