Overview
Background
Jenny is the Deputy Director (Training) at Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland. In this role Jenny leads the development and implementation of ISSR's training programs. This includes professional short courses aimed at Industry, tailored capability training for industry, Higher Degree Training, external and internal internships/placements, internal staff capability training, and teaching opportunities for ISSR staff in the schools including Honours supervision. In addition to leading this portfolio of work and teaching professional short courses, Jenny continues to lead a Research Group (Social and Educational disadvantage), contribute 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 supervise HDR students. 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 focuses on education effectiveness, parent engagement, student wellbeing, evidenced-based practice, and research that impacts policy and practice. She has extensive experience in large scale mixed methods evaluations, using administrative data together 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. In addition to leading large commissioned evaluations and academic grants, Jenny is continues to build her research focusing on 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.
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
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School leadership
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School culture
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Parent engagement
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Child well-being
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Intergenerational transfer of education aspirations, values and attitudes
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Disadvantaged communities
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Evidenced based policy and practice
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Cross-cultural research
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social policy evaluation
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Psychometrics
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Innovative methods and techniques
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Survey methodology
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Quantitative data analysis methods
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Qualitative data analysis methods
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Education effectiveness
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Mixed methods
Works
Search Professor Jenny Povey’s works on UQ eSpace
2019
Conference Publication
Problematizing the relationship between school choice and parental engagement: learnings for the implementation of the School Inclusion Law
Donoso Rivas, M.F., Povey, J., Tomaszewski, W. and Huang, Y. (2019). Problematizing the relationship between school choice and parental engagement: learnings for the implementation of the School Inclusion Law. V Congreso Interdisciplinario de Investigación en Educación, Santiago, Chile, 20-22 August 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Principal leadership for parent engagement: Using socially just practices to improve education horizons for parents and students.
Willis, L.-D., Povey, J. and Hodges, J. (2019). Principal leadership for parent engagement: Using socially just practices to improve education horizons for parents and students.. 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.
2018
Other Outputs
Evaluation of the Try, Test and Learn (TTL) Fund project plan
Baxter, J., Povey, J., McKay, R., Kalb, G., Ribar, D., Abdullah, M., Borland, J., Ambrey, C., O'Flaherty, M., Tseng, Y., Polidano, C., Western, M. and Tomaszewski, W. (2018). Evaluation of the Try, Test and Learn (TTL) Fund project plan. Brisbane, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research, University of Queensland.
2018
Journal Article
Educational inequality across three generations in Australia
Hancock, Kirsten J., Mitrou, Francis, Povey, Jenny, Campbell, Alice and Zubrick, Stephen R. (2018). Educational inequality across three generations in Australia. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 53 (1), 34-55. doi: 10.1002/ajs4.33
2018
Conference Publication
The power of linked data: evaluating diverse multi-program projects designed to reduce welfare dependence
Povey, Jenny, Baxter, Janeen, Ambrey, Christopher, Kalb, Guyonne, Ribar, David and Western, Mark (2018). The power of linked data: evaluating diverse multi-program projects designed to reduce welfare dependence. ADRF Network Research Conference: Innovations in Administrative Data for Social Science, Washington, D.C., USA, 12-14 November 2018. Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom: Swansea University. doi: 10.23889/ijpds.v3i5.1079
2018
Conference Publication
Engage to learn: working in partnership with families
Willis, Linda-Dianne, Povey, Jenny, Hodges, Julie, Carroll, Annemarie and Antrobus, Emma (2018). Engage to learn: working in partnership with families. Queensland Department of Education Research Showcase, Brisbane, Australia, 27 November 2018.
2018
Other Outputs
What gives some Principals the edge on parent-school-community engagement? Principal leadership for engaging parents and community in disadvantaged schools: four case studies
Willis, Linda-Dianne, Povey, Jenny, Hodges, Julie, Carroll, Annemaree, Pedde, Charley and Campbell, Alice (2018). What gives some Principals the edge on parent-school-community engagement? Principal leadership for engaging parents and community in disadvantaged schools: four case studies. Brisbane, Queensland: The University of Queensland.
2018
Conference Publication
Principal leadership for “Parent engagement in schools” (PES): Effective strategies and practices
Willis, Linda-Dianne, Povey, Jenny and Hodges, Julie (2018). Principal leadership for “Parent engagement in schools” (PES): Effective strategies and practices. Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) Conference, Education Research Matters: Impact and Engagement, Sydney, Australia, 2-6 December 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Parent engagement research and evidence
Willis, Linda-Dianne, Povey, Jenny, Hodges, Julie, Dolley, Christine, Carleton, Phillip, Wilkinson, Louise and McAllister, Danielle (2018). Parent engagement research and evidence. Parents and Citizens Association of Queensland State Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 7-8 September 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Principal leadership qualities and strategies: engaging parents and the community in disadvantaged schools
Willis, Linda-Dianne, Povey, Jenny, Hodges, Julie, Carroll, Annemarie and Pedde, Charley (2018). Principal leadership qualities and strategies: engaging parents and the community in disadvantaged schools. British Educational Research Association (BERA) Conference, Newcastle, United Kingdom, 11-13 September 2018.
2017
Other Outputs
Parent engagement in secondary schools. Discussion paper. Prepared for the New South Wales Centre for Education statistics and Evaluation
Povey, J., Creagh, S., Bellotti, M., Gramotnev, A., Kennedy, E., Pedde, C. and Betros, G. (2017). Parent engagement in secondary schools. Discussion paper. Prepared for the New South Wales Centre for Education statistics and Evaluation. St Lucia QLD Australia: The University of Queensland, Institute for Social Science Research.
2017
Other Outputs
Evidence-informed practices to improve student engagement. Final Report. Prepared for the New South Wales Centre for Education statistics and Evaluation
Povey, J., Creagh, S., Bellotti, M., Gramotnev, A., Kennedy, E., Pedde, C. and Betros, G. (2017). Evidence-informed practices to improve student engagement. Final Report. Prepared for the New South Wales Centre for Education statistics and Evaluation. St Lucia QLD Australia: The University of Queensland Institute for Social Science Research.
2017
Other Outputs
The review of UQ scholarships: The perspectives of staff and scholarship recipients. Final Report. Prepared for The University of Queensland, Academic Services Division.
Povey, J. and Kennedy, E. (2017). The review of UQ scholarships: The perspectives of staff and scholarship recipients. Final Report. Prepared for The University of Queensland, Academic Services Division.. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland, Institute for Social Science Research.
2017
Other Outputs
Key findings from the evaluation of the Nanny Pilot Programme. Final Report. Prepared for the Australian Government Department of Education and Training
Povey, J., Brady, M., Perales, F., Clague, D., Baxter, J., Pedde, C. and Kennedy, E. (2017). Key findings from the evaluation of the Nanny Pilot Programme. Final Report. Prepared for the Australian Government Department of Education and Training. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland, Institute for Social Science Research.
2017
Other Outputs
The Nanny Pilot Programme Final Technical Report. Prepared for the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training
Povey, J., Brady, M., Perales, F., Clague, D., Baxter, J., Pedde, C. and Kennedy, E. (2017). The Nanny Pilot Programme Final Technical Report. Prepared for the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training. : The University of Queensland, Institute for Social Science Research.
2017
Other Outputs
In Home Care Program Review Final Technical Report. Prepared for the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training
Povey, J., Brady, M., Perales, F., Baxter, J., Clague, D., Stevenson, S., Pedde, C. and Kennedy, E. (2017). In Home Care Program Review Final Technical Report. Prepared for the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland, Institute for Social Science Research.
2017
Other Outputs
Key findings from the In Home Care Program Review. Final Report. Prepared for the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training
Povey, J., Brady, M., Perales, F., Baxter, J., Clague, D., Stevenson, S., Pedde, C. and Kennedy, E. (2017). Key findings from the In Home Care Program Review. Final Report. Prepared for the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland, Institute for Social Science Research.
2017
Other Outputs
Interim key findings from the ISSR evaluation of the Nanny Pilot Programme. Prepared for the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training. The University of Queensland, Institute for Social Science Research.
Povey, J., Brady, M., Perales, F., Baffour, B., Baxter, J., Pedde, C., Clague, D., Stevenson, S., Campbell, A. and Jarallah, Y. (2017). Interim key findings from the ISSR evaluation of the Nanny Pilot Programme. Prepared for the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training. The University of Queensland, Institute for Social Science Research.. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
2017
Other Outputs
Nanny Pilot Programme Evaluation Interim Technical Report. Prepared for the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training
Povey, J., Brady, M., Perales, F., Baffour, B., Baxter, J., Pedde, C., Clague, D., Stevenson, S., Campbell, A. and Jarallah, Y. (2017). Nanny Pilot Programme Evaluation Interim Technical Report. Prepared for the Commonwealth Department of Education and Training. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland, Institute for Social Science Research.
2017
Other Outputs
Evaluation framework for the domestic and family violence prevention strategy (2016-2026) (2017). Final report. Prepared for Queensland Department of Premier and Cabinet
Haynes, Michele, McKay, Russell, Clague, Denise, Lam, Jack, Chainey, Carys, Povey, Jenny and Western, Mark (2017). Evaluation framework for the domestic and family violence prevention strategy (2016-2026) (2017). Final report. Prepared for Queensland Department of Premier and Cabinet. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland, Institute for Social Science Research.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Jenny Povey is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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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.
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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.
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Improving the academic and wellbeing outcomes for, Indigenous and non-Indigenous children in Out-of-Home Care (OOHC)
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.
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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.
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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.
-
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.
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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.
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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.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
The impact of out-of-home care on children's social-emotional wellbeing: A life course approach
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Janeen Baxter, Professor Karen Healy, Dr Maca San Martin Porter
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Doctor Philosophy
Managing Odds: Addressing educational disadvantage through school accountability and better HRM practices
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Wojtek Tomaszewski
Completed supervision
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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
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Education, employment, and empowerment: Narratives from Pakistan
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Janeen Baxter
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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
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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
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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
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