Australia and Finland may be geographically poles apart but researchers from both countries are striving to best prepare teachers for their profession. As part of their development, two academics from Finland are braving Australia’s February heat to visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) after discovering the institution’s reputation as a leader in research on professional practice, teacher education and learning. CSU’s Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education  (RIPPLE) is hosting Professor Petri Salo from Abo Akademi University and Dr Hannu Heikkinin from the University of Jyväskylä as they collaborate on joint research projects with CSU. Leading international education researcher, Professor Stephen Kemmis from CSU, said, “Professor Petri Salo is working with our team on a three-year Australian Research Council project investigating the connections between practices of school leadership and professional development and how these can lead to changes in students’ academic and social practices, while Dr Hannu Heikkinen is collaborating with RIPPLE researchers on mentoring for new teachers.”