Overview
Background
Jenny leads the Inclusive Education and Employment research group at the Institute for Social Science Research at the University of Queensland. She is a Psychologist and obtained her BA Honors, MA and PhD from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in South Africa. Before coming to ISSR, Jenny worked as a Chief Researcher at the Human Sciences Research Council in South Africa in the area of Education effectiveness.
Jenny’s research on social justice and inclusion takes an intersectionality and life course perspective, focusing on inclusive education and labour force outcomes among individuals from a range of marginalised groups e.g., individuals with disabilities, individuals with foster/kinship/residential care experience, individuals with refugee experience, individuals with mental health challenges, and individuals living in socioeconomic disadvantage circumstances. Jenny's work takes a systems approach and includes understanding structural disadvantages and the support systems (e.g., parents/carers, service providers, school staff) that can be used to improve the life outcomes of individuals with complex needs. Jenny's work predominantly focuses on achieving an impact on policy and practice. She has extensive experience in large-scale mixed methods evaluations, using administrative data complemented with survey and qualitative data.
Jenny has worked closely with Government Departments and Ministries both in Australia (e.g., Tasmania DHHS; Australian DoE; Qld DoE; CESE NSW; Australian DSS; Qld DCSSD; Department of Home Affairs) and internationally (e.g., South Africa, Eritrea, Cambodia and the Solomon Islands) to gather research evidence from a wide range of disadvantaged communities to inform policy. Jenny is a Chief Investigator on an ARC Linkage project which investigates how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous children experience Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) using elicitation methods and a longitudinal qualitative research design to provide evidence to improve service agencies’ understanding of children’s experiences in OOHC and how agencies can best support families, carers and communities to promote the social, emotional, and cultural well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous children in OOHC. This research will improve service provider capability and test Government reform interventions. Jenny leads large-scale complex commissioned evaluations and is currently leading the following evaluations: Evaluation of the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot; Evaluation of the Extended Post Care Support Program; and FamilyLinQ Evaluation.
In addition to leading a research group, and teaching professional short courses, Jenny contributes as an Associate Investigator to research for the ARC Centre of Excellence on Families and Children over the Life Course (the Life Course Centre), and supervises HDR and placement students.
Availability
- Associate Professor Jenny Povey is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Arts, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- Masters (Coursework), Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- Doctor of Philosophy, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Research interests
-
Inclusive education
-
People with disability
-
School leadership
-
School culture
-
Parent engagement
-
Intersectional disadvantage
-
Evidenced based policy and practice
-
Cross-cultural research
-
Social policy evaluation
-
Innovative and participatory methods and techniques
-
Survey methodology
-
Mixed methods
-
Young people transitioning care
-
Children in care
-
Refugees and humanitarian entrants
-
Inclusive employment
-
Mental health and wellbeing
-
Psychometrics
-
Belonging and social identity
Works
Search Professor Jenny Povey’s works on UQ eSpace
2022
Book Chapter
Introduction
Baxter, Janeen, Lam, Jack, Lee, Rennie, Povey, Jenny and Zubrick, Stephen R. (2022). Introduction. Family dynamics over the life course. (pp. 1-16) Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-12224-8_1
2022
Book Chapter
Emerging directions and new challenges
Zubrick, Stephen R., Lee, Rennie, Baxter, Janeen, Lam, Jack and Povey, Jenny (2022). Emerging directions and new challenges. Family dynamics over the life course: foundations, turning points and outcomes. (pp. 313-319) edited by Janeen Baxter, Jack Lam,, Jenny Povey, Rennie Lee and Stephen R. Zubrick. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-12224-8_15
2022
Book Chapter
Adolescence a period of vulnerability and risk for adverse outcomes across the life course: the role of parent engagement in learning
Povey, Jenny, Plage, Stefanie, Huang, Yanshu, Gramotnev, Alexandra, Cook, Stephanie, Austerberry, Sophie and Western, Mark (2022). Adolescence a period of vulnerability and risk for adverse outcomes across the life course: the role of parent engagement in learning. Family dynamics over the life course: foundations, turning points and outcomes. (pp. 97-131) edited by Janeen Baxter, Jack Lam, Jenny Povey, Rennie Lee and Stephen R. Zubrick. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-12224-8_6
2022
Book Chapter
Families, life courses and the intergenerational transmission of social disadvantage in Australia
Lee, Rennie, Lam, Jack, Baxter, Janeen, Povey, Jenny and Zubrick, Stephen R. (2022). Families, life courses and the intergenerational transmission of social disadvantage in Australia. Family dynamics over the life course: foundations, turning points and outcomes. (pp. 17-36) edited by Janeen Baxter, Jack Lam, Jenny Povey, Rennie Lee and Stephen R. Zubrick. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-12224-8_2
2021
Other Outputs
The Student Equity in Higher Education Evaluation Framework guidance manual
Johnstone, Melissa, Robinson, Mark, Salom, Caroline, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Kubler, Matthias, Clague, Denise, Zajac, Tomasz and Povey, Jenny (2021). The Student Equity in Higher Education Evaluation Framework guidance manual. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
2021
Other Outputs
The Student Equity in Higher Education Evaluation Framework
Robinson, Mark, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Kubler, Matthias, Johnstone, Melissa, Clague, Denise, Zajac, Tomasz, Povey, Jenny and Salom, Caroline (2021). The Student Equity in Higher Education Evaluation Framework. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
2021
Conference Publication
Queensland School Business Managers’ Wellbeing Survey 2021, Presentation of Findings
Povey, Jenny, Cook, Stephanie, Bellotti, Melindy, Zulfiqar, Asma, Austerberry, Sophie and San Martin Porter, Macarena (2021). Queensland School Business Managers’ Wellbeing Survey 2021, Presentation of Findings. The School Business Managers’ Association Queensland Conference, Online, 3 November 2021.
2021
Other Outputs
Building capacity for quality teaching in Australian schools: Queensland replication study progress report June 2021
Povey, J., Kennedy, E. , Potia, A. H., Bellotti, M., Cook, S., Tomaszewski, W. and Staton, S. (2021). Building capacity for quality teaching in Australian schools: Queensland replication study progress report June 2021. Building capacity for quality teaching in Australian schools Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR): The University of Queensland.
2021
Other Outputs
Try, Test and Learn Evaluation - Final Report. Prepared for Department of Social Service
Baxter, Janeen, Povey, Jenny, Burger, Sarah-Ann, Cook, Stephanie, Tseng, Yi-Ping, Polidano, Cain, Kalb, Guyonne, Mamun, Abdullah, Ahmad, Shabbir, O'Flaherty, Martin, Borland, Jeff, Plage, Stefanie, Bellotti, Melindy, Kennedy, Elizabeth, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Western, Mark (2021). Try, Test and Learn Evaluation - Final Report. Prepared for Department of Social Service. Institute for Social Science Research - Publications Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland, Institute for Social Science Research.
2021
Other Outputs
Learning through COVID-19: What do children, young people and families say about needs, and impact of COVID-19?: Pillar 2 Report
McDaid, Lisa, Povey, Jenny, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Cleary, Anne, Plage, Stefanie, Cook, Steffi, Xiang, Ning, Zajac, Tomasz, Ridgway, Tyrone and Western, Mark (2021). Learning through COVID-19: What do children, young people and families say about needs, and impact of COVID-19?: Pillar 2 Report. Learning through COVID-19 St Lucia, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2021
Book
Principal leadership for parent engagement in disadvantaged schools: What qualities and strategies distinguish effective principals?
Willis, Linda-Dianne, Povey, Jenny, Hodges, Julie and Carroll, Annemaree (2021). Principal leadership for parent engagement in disadvantaged schools: What qualities and strategies distinguish effective principals?. Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-16-1264-0
2020
Other Outputs
Anglicare Southern Queensland's children and parenting services evaluation
Povey, Jenny, Burger, Sarah-Ann, Boyle, Fran, Mamun, Abdullah, Plage, Stefanie, Tran, Nam, Gramotnev, Alexandra, Robinson, Mark and Reddel, Tim (2020). Anglicare Southern Queensland's children and parenting services evaluation. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
2020
Other Outputs
Anglicare Southern Queensland's Family and Relationship Services evaluation final report
Povey, Jenny, Burger, Sarah-Ann, Boyle, Fran, Mamun, Abdullah, Plage, Stefanie, Tran, Nam, Gramotnev, Alexandra, Robinson, Mark and Reddel, Tim (2020). Anglicare Southern Queensland's Family and Relationship Services evaluation final report. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2020
Other Outputs
Evaluation of the Your Caring Way Program: evaluation framework
Robinson, Mark, Johnstone, Melissa, Brown, Richard, Kennedy, Elizabeth and Povey, Jenny (2020). Evaluation of the Your Caring Way Program: evaluation framework. Brisbane, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
2020
Conference Publication
Practical strategies to enhance student learning and wellbeing: what can schools and parents do?
Willis, L.-D., Povey, J. and Hodges, J. (2020). Practical strategies to enhance student learning and wellbeing: what can schools and parents do?. 20th Biennial Helping Families Change Conference (HFCC 2020), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 5-7 February 2020.
2020
Other Outputs
Try, test and learn evaluation - interim report
Baxter, Janeen, Povey, Jenny, Burger, Sarah-Ann, Plage, Stefanie, Kennedy, Elizabeth, O'Flaherty, Martin, Tseng, Yi-Ping, Polidano, Cain, Kalb, Guyonne, Borland, Jeff, Ribar, David, Mamun, Abdullah, Ball, Sarah, Gramotnev, Alexandra, Bellotti, Melindy, Simpson Reeves, Laura, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Western, Mark (2020). Try, test and learn evaluation - interim report. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2020
Conference Publication
Building partnerships between a child’s home and their school: practical strategies to enhance children’s development (Symposium)
Hodges, J., Willis, L.-D., Povey, J., Kirby, G., Aery, A., Day, J. and MHYPEDD Team (2020). Building partnerships between a child’s home and their school: practical strategies to enhance children’s development (Symposium). 20th Biennial Helping Families Change Conference (HFCC 2020), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 5-7 February 2020.
2019
Conference Publication
Parent engagement—Speaking from the research
Willis, L.-D., Povey, J., Hodges, J., Carroll, A. and Antrobus, E. (2019). Parent engagement—Speaking from the research. Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) Biennial Meeting, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 19 August 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Examining parent engagement research from different perspectives to understand ways to improve policy and practice in schools and education systems (Symposium). (Angela Ferguson – Discussant).
Willis, L.-D., Povey, J., Hodges, J., Kirby, G., Guo, Y. and Guo, S. (2019). Examining parent engagement research from different perspectives to understand ways to improve policy and practice in schools and education systems (Symposium). (Angela Ferguson – Discussant).. Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) Schools and Education Systems (SES) Special Interest Group (SIG), Education for a socially just world, Brisbane, Australia, 1-5 December 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Examining the relationship between school choice and parental engagement: evidence from Chile - a highly market-oriented school system
Donoso Rivas, M. F., Povey, J., Huang, Y. and Tomaszewski, W. (2019). Examining the relationship between school choice and parental engagement: evidence from Chile - a highly market-oriented school system. Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) Conference 2019, Brisbane, Australia, 1-5 December 2019.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Jenny Povey is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Social disadvantage and labour force participation
This PhD would require you to apply for a UQ scholarship. If you are interested in this project and want more information, please contact j.povey@uq.edu.au.
-
Improving life outcomes for, Indigenous and non-Indigenous children in Care or transitioning from care into adulthood
This PhD would require you to apply for a UQ scholarship. You will have access to qualitative data and SDQ (3 waves) collected for an ARC Linkage grant. If you are interested in this project and want more information, please contact j.povey@uq.edu.au.
-
Improving the experiences of, and outcomes for, humanitarian migrants and refugee children
This PhD would require you to apply for a UQ scholarship. If you are interested in this project and want more information, please contact j.povey@uq.edu.au.
-
Parent engagement in student learning and wellbeing to improve outcomes for children and adolescents
Understanding why and how some schools located in disadvanatged areas are more effective at parent engagement than others and how improving parent engagement in these schools effects the learning and wellbeing of students living in these communities over their life course.This PhD would require you to apply for a UQ scholarship. If you are interested in this project and want more information, please contact j.povey@uq.edu.au.
-
More information about studying at ISSR
If you are considering studying a PhD in Queensland and you want your research to have a social impact, then we would like you to join us at the Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR).
As a PhD student at ISSR, you will join a team of experienced researchers who want to make a difference. At ISSR, we deliver high-quality research to inform policy and practice and improve the life outcomes of communities and families. We have a depth of expertise and supervisory experience across research areas in public health, criminology, psychology, education, sociology, social research, and applied statistics.
As a PhD student with us, you will be part of an engaged, diverse, and welcoming HDR community that organises regular writing groups, social outings, wellbeing activities such as coffee, cake and conversation (3Cs), walking groups, lively lunchtime sessions, and much more.
Our PhD students are an important part of the Institute, and you will be able to attend regular ISSR capability building sessions, seminars, short courses and the ISSR conference, with plenty of opportunities to share your work.
ISSR is based at the beautiful, leafy, riverside Long Pocket campus at Indooroopilly with plenty of free parking and a free bus connection to the main campus at St Lucia, just 7 minutes away. You will have a light, spacious, modern and attractive workspace at Long Pocket and feel part of our inclusive ISSR work group.
If you would like to know more, we encourage you to reach out to potential supervisors directly. For general inquiries about the HDR program at UQ, please contact Lindsay Muller at hdr.issr@enquire.uq.edu.au.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Relationship between Family SES, Parent-child Educational Expectation Discrepancies and Adolescent Mental Health: Mechanism Studies and Exploration of Intervention Strategies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Maca San Martin Porter
-
Doctor Philosophy
Managing Odds: Addressing educational disadvantage through school accountability and better HRM practices
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Wojtek Tomaszewski
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Socio-emotional wellbeing of children in out-of-home care: A life course approach
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Janeen Baxter, Professor Karen Healy, Dr Maca San Martin Porter
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Beyond parental school choice: Understanding parental engagement in the context of school choice policies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Western, Professor Wojtek Tomaszewski
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Education, employment, and empowerment: Narratives from Pakistan
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Janeen Baxter
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
The Impact of Learning Environment on Successful Intelligence: Beyond the Understanding of Socioeconomic Status
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robyn Gillies, Professor Wojtek Tomaszewski
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing parent engagement in secondary school: An investigation of agency, dialogic learning, and intersubjectivity using Bronfenbrenner and Bakhtin frameworks.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kate McLay
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Same-same but different? Country of origin and labour market outcomes of immigrants in Australia
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Janeen Baxter, Professor Wojtek Tomaszewski
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Jenny Povey directly for media enquiries about:
- parent and community engagement with student learning and wellbeing
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: