Understanding Team Work in First-Year Engineering through Data Analytics

This project explores how first-year engineering student teams function, using existing datasets collected from teamwork activities, surveys, and reflective tasks. The project sits at the intersection of engineering education, learning analytics, and teamwork research.

The work is part of an ongoing research program focused on improving teamwork, belonging, and professional skill development in engineering students. It draws on real student data to identify patterns in team dynamics, communication, contribution, and overall functioning.

• Literature review on teamwork in engineering education
• Analysis of existing datasets (e.g., teamwork surveys, peer evaluation data, or qualitative reflections)
• Identifying patterns or “types” of team functioning
• Visualisations or summaries of teamwork behaviours

• The student will work closely with the principal supervisor, but also other academics in the faculty.
• Participate in regular supervision meetings
• Engage with real datasets collected from first-year engineering units
• Potentially contribute to a broader research project or publication

• Data analysis skills
• Experience working with real datasets
• Understanding of teamwork and group dynamics in engineering contexts
• Research skills including literature review and academic writing
• Exposure to learning analytics and education research methods

The project aims to:

• Identify patterns in how student teams function in first-year engineering
• Develop insights into what characterises effective and ineffective teams
• Generate examples or profiles of team behaviours
• Inform future teaching practices to better support teamwork development

Expected outputs may include:

• A summary report of findings
• Visualisations of team patterns
• Contributions to ongoing research projects or publications

The ideal student researcher:

• Has an interest in engineering education, teamwork, or data analysis
• Is comfortable working with data (Excel, Python, or similar tools beneficial but not required)
• Is organised and able to work both independently and collaboratively
• Has strong written communication skills