Overview
Background
Professor Kelly Matthews is an expert on the student experience in higher education—recently ranked amongst the top 5% of cited scholars globally in higher education, teaching and curriculum, and student partnership—and is an award-winning university teacher.
Her research, spanning over 150 publications and 100 invited talks, is about impact---shaping how students actively participate in their learning, directly improving experiences for students and informing the practices of teaching staff globally. Awarded an Australian Teaching Fellowship and a Higher Education Academy Principal Fellowship, Kelly has
- established influential international writing groups that mentor and motivate emerging scholars to publish about their educational practices,
- co-founded the International Journal for Students as Partners to enable students and staff from across the world to shape what counts as knowledge,
- created and sustained the Students as Partners Network to both celebrate and inspire educational practices across universities worldwide, and
- led collaborative, multi-institutional projects that recognise and promote educational leadership and change through applied research.
In 2025, Kelly is leading a multi-institutional project with Deakin, Monash, and UTS to shape AI policy and practice through student voice.
Kelly is the Academic Lead for Student Experience and Strategic Initiatives in the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Portfolio in the Institute of Teaching and Learning Innovation.
Availability
- Professor Kelly Matthews is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts, University of New Orleans
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Member, Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australian Institute of Company Directors
Works
Search Professor Kelly Matthews’s works on UQ eSpace
2012
Conference Publication
Quantitative skills in science: findings from 13 case studies
Matthews, Kelly, Adams, Peter, Belward, Shaun, Coady, Carmel, Rylands, Leanne and Simbag, Vilma (2012). Quantitative skills in science: findings from 13 case studies. The Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Sydney Australia, 26-28 September 2012.
2011
Journal Article
The dance of science and mathematics in higher education: the quantitative skills (QS) in science project
Matthews, Kelly E. (2011). The dance of science and mathematics in higher education: the quantitative skills (QS) in science project. HERDSA news, 33 (3), 13-14.
2011
Journal Article
Science enrolments up but challenges still exist
Egan, Natasha and Matthews, Kelly E. (2011). Science enrolments up but challenges still exist. Campus Review.
2011
Book
IS-IT Learning? Online interdisciplinary scenario-inquiry tasks for active learning in large, first year STEM courses : Draft/Final report
Gahan, Lawrence, Lawrie, Gwen, Matthews, Kelly, Adams, Peter, Long, Phil, Kavanagh, Lydia and Weaver, Gabriela (2011). IS-IT Learning? Online interdisciplinary scenario-inquiry tasks for active learning in large, first year STEM courses : Draft/Final report. CG9-1112 Australia: Australian Learning and Teaching Council.
2011
Journal Article
Social learning spaces and student engagement
Matthews, KE, Andrews, V and Adams, P (2011). Social learning spaces and student engagement. Higher Education Research and Development, 30 (2), 105-120. doi: 10.1080/07294360.2010.512629
2011
Conference Publication
The interdisciplinary edge: Transforming academic practice and enhancing student learning via interdisciplinary curricula
Coady, Carmel, Davison, Aidan, Matthews, Kelly, Pharo, Emma and Warr, Kristin (2011). The interdisciplinary edge: Transforming academic practice and enhancing student learning via interdisciplinary curricula. Higher Education Research and Development (HERDSA 2011), Gold Coast , QLD, Australia, 4-7 July 2011.
2011
Conference Publication
Mathematics in science higher education: Narrative inquiry and an analytical framework for exploring the student experience
Matthews, Kelly (2011). Mathematics in science higher education: Narrative inquiry and an analytical framework for exploring the student experience. Volcanic Delta 2011: The Eighth Southern Hemisphere Conference on Teaching and Learning Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics, Rotorua, New Zealand, 27 November - 2 December 2011. The University of Canterbury and The University of Auckland: Christchurch; Auckland, New Zealand.
2011
Conference Publication
Integrating mathematics and the life sciences to better prepare graduates for medical school
Matthews, Kelly, Adams, Peter and Goos, Merrilyn E. (2011). Integrating mathematics and the life sciences to better prepare graduates for medical school. Joint Mathematics Meetings, New Orleans, LA, U.S.A., 6-9 January 2011.
2011
Book
Handbook of scenario resources for inquiry learning in STEM: IS-IT Learning? Online interdisciplinary scenario-inquiry tasks for active learning in large first year STEM courses.
Lawrie, Gwen, Gahan, Lawrence, Matthews, Kelly, Adams, Peter, Kavanagh, Lydia, Long, Phil, Weaver, Gabriela and Cusack, Rodney (2011). Handbook of scenario resources for inquiry learning in STEM: IS-IT Learning? Online interdisciplinary scenario-inquiry tasks for active learning in large first year STEM courses.. Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW, Australia: Australian Learning andTeaching Council (ALTC).
2011
Conference Publication
The student voice hidden in the quality and standards
Matthews, Kelly E. (2011). The student voice hidden in the quality and standards. Higher Education Research and Development (HERDSA 2011), Gold Coast , QLD, Australia, 4-7 July 2011. Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia.
2011
Conference Publication
Evidencing learning standards in science: Graduate perceptions of gaining knowledge and skills at two research-intensive universities
Matthews, Kelly and Hodgson, Yvonne (2011). Evidencing learning standards in science: Graduate perceptions of gaining knowledge and skills at two research-intensive universities. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education 2011, Melbourne, Australia, 28-30 September 2011. Sydney, Australia: UniServe Science.
2011
Conference Publication
Building the mathematical and statistical skills of undergraduate students
Matthews, Kelly, Thompson, Katerina, Belward, Shaun and Coady, Carmel (2011). Building the mathematical and statistical skills of undergraduate students. Engaged STEM Learning: From Promising to Pervasive Practices, Miami Beach, FL, USA, 24-26 March 2011.
2011
Conference Publication
Computer-assisted collaborative learning in large 1st year classes through interdisciplinary scenario-inquiry tasks: IS-IT chemistry?
Lawrie, G. A., Matthews, K., Taylor, M., Adams, P. and Gahan, L. R. (2011). Computer-assisted collaborative learning in large 1st year classes through interdisciplinary scenario-inquiry tasks: IS-IT chemistry?. The 2011 CAL Conference, Manchester, United Kingdom, 13-15 April 2011.
2011
Conference Publication
The hidden experience: Mathematics in science
Matthews, Kelly (2011). The hidden experience: Mathematics in science. The First International Conference of STEM in Education, Brisbane, Australia, 26-27 November 2011. Queensland University of Technology: Brisbane, Australia.
2011
Conference Publication
Applying mathematical thinking: The role of mathematicians and scientists in equipping the new generation scientist
Belward, S. R., Matthews, K. E., Thompson, K. V., Pelaez, N. J., Coady, C., Adams, P., Simbag, V. A. and Rylands, L. J. (2011). Applying mathematical thinking: The role of mathematicians and scientists in equipping the new generation scientist. Volcanic Delta 2011: The Eighth Southern Hemisphere Conference on Teaching and Learning Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics, Rotorua, New Zealand, 27 November - 2 December 2011. University of Auckland, New Zealand: University of Canterbury and The University of Auckland, on behalf of the International Delta Steering Committee.
2011
Conference Publication
A study of the Australian tertiary sector’s portrayed view of the relevance of quantitative skills in science
Belward, S., Matthews, K. E., Thompson, K. V., Pelaez, N. J., Coady, C., Adams, P., Simbag, V. A. and Rylands, L. (2011). A study of the Australian tertiary sector’s portrayed view of the relevance of quantitative skills in science. Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT) and the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA) Conference, Alice Springs, NT, Australia, 3-7 July 2011. Adelaide, South Australia: AAMT and MERGA.
2011
Conference Publication
Building quantitative skills of undergraduate science students: Exploring the educational resources
Rylands, Leanne J., Matthews, Kelly E., Simbag, Vilma A., Belward, Shaun, Adams, Peter and Coady, Carmel (2011). Building quantitative skills of undergraduate science students: Exploring the educational resources. Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, Melbourne, Australia, 28-30 September 2011. Sydney, Australia: UniServe Science.
2011
Conference Publication
A study of the Australian tertiary sector's portrayed view of the relevance of quantitative skills in science
Belward, Shaun, Matthews, Kelly, Rylands, Leanne, Coady, Carmel, Adams, Peter and Simbag, Vilma (2011). A study of the Australian tertiary sector's portrayed view of the relevance of quantitative skills in science. Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT) and the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA) Conference 2011, Alice Springs, NT, Australia, 3-7 July 2011. Adelaide, SA, Australia: AAMT and MERGA.
2011
Conference Publication
IS-IT Chemistry? Challenging students to think 'outside the box' through interdisciplinary challenges
Lawrie, Gwen, Matthews, Kelly, Gahan, Lawrence, Adams, Peter, Kavanagh, Lydia and Weaver, Gabriela (2011). IS-IT Chemistry? Challenging students to think 'outside the box' through interdisciplinary challenges. Gordon Research Conference in Chemistry Education Research and Practice, Davidson, NC, U.S.A., 26 June - 1 July 2011.
2010
Other Outputs
'Survey finds graduates' mathematics doesn't add up': Media interview
Guy Healy and Kelly E. Matthews (2010, 09 01). 'Survey finds graduates' mathematics doesn't add up': Media interview The Australian 24-24.
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Kelly Matthews is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Student engagement and partnership on teacher identity development: A comparative study between Indonesia and Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robin Shields
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Disrupting and reproducing power: A focused ethnography of intercultural learner-teacher partnership using Bourdieu's social field theory and intercultural communication theory
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Shuang Liu
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Speaking for ourselves: Indian students co-constructed stories of engaging in partnership with staff in an Australian university
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Suraiya Abdul Hameed
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Relationship, engagement, and culture: Exploring the conceptions of students as partners in Chinese higher education
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Lodge
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Being a teaching-focused academic in a research-intensive university: A focused ethnography
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Deanne Gannaway
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Enacting Pasin as storying as research: Ways of rethinking the health workers' curriculum in Papua New Guinea
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emerita Professor Di Eley
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
An exploration of Chinese students' learning experiences in China-Australia '2+2' articulation programmes: In between two systems.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Bob Lingard, Dr Vicente Reyes
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Kelly Matthews directly for media enquiries about:
- AI in higher education
- assessment
- education quality
- higher education
- student engagement
- student voice
- teaching impact
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