STEM Education and Engagement
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education is a national strategic priority, with compelling questions yet to be answered. The STEM Education & Engagement (STEM-EE) research group within the Sydney School of Education and Social Work, recently won two NSW Department of Education Strategic Grant funded projects which tackle questions of:
- how best to support the practice and promote job satisfaction in teachers being assigned to teach mathematics out-of-field in junior secondary school (Project 1)
- how children in preschool and the first two years of school can build a stronger foundation in mathematics and science (Project 2).
Each project has dual purposes of creating new knowledge in the field of STEM education and translating research findings into high-impact learning opportunities for teachers. Both projects provide rich contexts for crafting several associated PhD studies focused on the theme of teachers’ experiences, and the successful candidate/s has the choice to work on either. People applying to undertake PhD studies in either project should specify clearly which is their area of choice:. "Project 1" or "Project 2" in their application. Interested potential HDR students are invited to direct questions in advance to the lead supervisor for the Project of their choice.
The successful PhD candidate/s will:
- have previous experience in education and/or psychology and/or teacher professional development
- possess advanced communication and writing skills
- demonstrated competence in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.
The selected candidate/s will develop sophisticated research skills through involvement with research instruments, data collection and management, data coding and analyses, and report writing, within the context of a vibrant research lab culture with experienced and award-winning supervisors.
Project 1:
Understanding and building the strengths and skills of non-specialist mathematics teachers and schools’ capacities for junior secondary mathematics
The suggested focus of the PhD study attached to this project asks, What are the conditions that support effective practice and work satisfaction among teachers of junior secondary mathematics who are teaching out-of-field?
Lead Supervisor is Proefssor Helen Watt , whose areas of expertise are educational psychology; motivation; occupational choice and wellbeing; STEM engagement and pathways; gender and STEM; teacher development; quantitative methods; and mixed methods.
Project 2
Embodied learning in early mathematics and science
The suggested focus of the PhD study attached to this project is an investigation of how embodied-learning design principles influence teachers’ planning and pedagogy for implementing relevant aspects of the mathematics/science curriculum in the first two years of school. However, other possibilities are open for discussion.
Lead supervisor is Associate Professor Jennifer Way whose areas of expertise are early years and primary mathematics; effective pedagogies; qualitative methods; education technologies; teacher education; and mathematical representations.
The ‘STEM Education & Engagement’ (STEM-EE) project aims to probe issues and opportunities in STEM education and promote the engagement and positive development of teachers and their students.
The members of the STEM-EE research group are: Honorary Associate Professor Judy Anderson, Professor Janette Bobis, Dr Katherin Cartwright, Associate Professor Paul Ginns, Dr Christine Preston, Dr Bronwyn Reid O’Connor, Professor Helen Watt, Associate Professor Jennifer Way.
Working with leading academics in STEM education, new PhD candidates will benefit from the support networks and expertise of the broader STEM-EE team that includes experienced and emerging researchers in mathematics, science and technology education; educational psychology; and equity in educational opportunities.
Because the PhD opportunities are nested within the larger grant-funded projects, additional resourcing supports travel costs for fieldwork and access to the external partners facilitating study operationalisations. PhD students in the Sydney School of Education and Social Work (SSESW) can also apply for conference funding and expenses up to $2,000 per year from SSESW.
Interested prospective PhD students are invited to submit a proposal for PhD research that aligns directly with the proposed studies outlined under Project 1 or Project 2 above.
Prospective candidates may qualify for direct entry into the PhD program if their research proposal is accepted and they satisfy at least one of the criteria listed below.
- Bachelor's degree with first- or second-class honours in an appropriate area of study that includes a research thesis based on primary data, not literature review
- Master's degree by research in an appropriate area of study that includes a research thesis that draws on primary data
- Master's degree by coursework, with a research thesis or dissertation of 12,000–15,000 words that draws on primary data, not literature review, with a grade-point average of at least 80 per cent in the degree
- Demonstrated appropriate professional experience and alternative qualifications in the field of study.
For more information regarding applying for a PhD refer to the course details for Doctor of Philosophy (Arts and Social Sciences).
Please also refer to guidelines for preparing a research proposal.
A number of scholarships are available to support your studies, including:
- Australian Government RTP Scholarship (Domestic)
- Australian Government RTP Scholarship (International)
- University of Sydney International Strategic Scholarship
These scholarships will provide a stipend allowance of $35,629 per annum for up to 3.5 years. Successful international students will also receive a tuition fee scholarship for up to 3.5 years.
For other scholarship opportunities refer to Faculty Research Scholarships (Domestic) or Faculty Research Scholarships (International).
For details of the PhD projects mentioned above, email the lead researcher listed below:
- Project 1 – Professor Helen Watt at helen.watt@sydney.edu.au
- Project 2 – Associate Professor Jennifer Way at jennifer.way@sydney.edu.au