Study level

  • PhD

Faculty/School

Faculty of Health

School of Psychology and Counselling

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Centre for Inclusive Education

Supervisors

Associate Professor Kristin Laurens
Position
Associate Professor
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Health

External supervisors

  • Melissa Green, UNSW Sydney

Overview

This project aims to characterise variability in developmental pathways to literacy and numeracy, and the factors that contribute to this variation, including children’s social-emotional competencies.

The project also examines the role of school-based social-emotional learning programs in supporting children’s achievement of literacy and numeracy, and in reducing exclusion from school.

The project uses data from the NSW Child Development Study - a longitudinal study following the development of a cohort of 91,635 children and their parents.

Research activities

You will apply sophisticated longitudinal analytical methods (quantitative) to the analysis of population data, and join a multi-institutional team of investigators who have established relationships with multiple government partner organisations to deliver policy-relevant information to improve children’s health and educational outcomes.

Outcomes

1. To characterise longitudinal patterns of variability in literacy and numeracy attainment during the primary and high school years, including for particular sub-populations of interest.

2. To determine predictors of different pathways of attainment.

3. To evaluate how school social-emotional learning and mental health programs might influence these pathways.

Skills and experience

You must have:

  • first-class honours (H1) or Masters (by research / MPhil) or equivalent degree in psychology, behavioural science, public health, or a related discipline that included a research dissertation
  • strong quantitative analysis skills (note: qualitative methods are not applicable to this project)
  • a background knowledge in developmental psychology, and/or,
  • educational psychology, or,
  • a background in child health and development studies (is highly desirable).

You must meet:

  • the QUT academic and English language entry requirements for the Doctor Philosophy (IF49).

Keywords

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.