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
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Inclusive education
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People with disability
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School leadership
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School culture
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Parent engagement
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Intersectional disadvantage
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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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Innovative and participatory methods and techniques
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Survey methodology
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Mixed methods
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Young people transitioning care
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Children in care
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Refugees and humanitarian entrants
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Inclusive employment
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Mental health and wellbeing
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Psychometrics
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Belonging and social identity
Works
Search Professor Jenny Povey’s works on UQ eSpace
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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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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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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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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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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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.
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Exploring new research methods
I am interested in supervising projects that are using innovative digital tools, including AI-assisted conversational interviewers and fieldwork support systems and AI-assisted large language models to analyse large-scale qualitative data. 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 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
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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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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
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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
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: