Professor Robyn Gillies
Professor

Robyn Gillies

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Phone: 
+61 7 336 56541

Background

Professor Robyn Gillies' major research interests are in the learning sciences, classroom discourses, small group processes, including co-regulated learning, classroom instruction, student behaviour, and students with disabilities. Professor Robyn Gillies has worked extensively in both primary and secondary schools to embed STEM education initiatives into the science curriculum. This includes helping teachers to embed inquiry skills into the science curricula so they capture students’ interests, provide opportunities for them to explore possible solutions to problems, explain phenomena, elaborate on potential outcomes, and evaluate findings. In short, through these investigations, students learn how to engage critically and constructively with others’ ideas, challenge and rebut proposals, and discuss alternative propositions. In so doing, they learn to talk and reason effectively together. These STEM education initiatives have been funded by research grants and contracts from the Australian Research Council, the Department of Education and Training (DET), the Queensland Museum Network (QMN), and the Office of Learning and Teaching (OLT). Professor Gillies is a Chief Investigator on the Science of Learning Research Centre (SLRC) where she has been instrumental in implementing two recent science-based research projects in primary and secondary schools to help teachers embed inquiry-science pedagogy into their science curricula. Her recommendations on how teachers can translate research into practice have been widely profiled in the international literature and on the website of the Smithsonian Science Education Center in Washington, DC.

Availability

Professor Robyn Gillies is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Education Education systems

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Educational Studies, The University of Queensland
  • Masters (Coursework) of Educational Studies (Adv), The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), University of Southern Queensland

Research interests

  • Learning sciences

    Learning and teaching

  • Classroom discourses

    Teacher and student classroom discourses

  • Cooperative learning

  • Classroom instruction

    Pedagogical practices in the classroom

  • Educational psychology

  • Classroom behaviour

  • Guidance, Counselling and Careers

Search Professor Robyn Gillies’s works on UQ eSpace

278 works between 1989 and 2025
All (278) Journal Article (186) Book Chapter (42) Conference Publication (31) Book (11) Other Outputs (3) Edited Outputs (5)

21 - 40 of 278 works

2023

Book Chapter

Bringing It All Together: Some Concluding Remarks

Gillies, Robyn M., Millis, Barbara and Davidson, Neil (2023). Bringing It All Together: Some Concluding Remarks. Contemporary Global Perspectives on Cooperative Learning: Applications Across Educational Contexts. (pp. 268-279) New York, NY United States: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003268192-24

Bringing It All Together: Some Concluding Remarks

2023

Book Chapter

Cooperative learning and the state of the field

Gillies, Robyn M., Millis, Barbara and Davidson, Neil (2023). Cooperative learning and the state of the field. Contemporary global perspectives on cooperative learning: applications across educational contexts. (pp. 1-10) edited by Robyn M. Gillies, Barbara Millis and Neil Davidson. New York: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003268192-1

Cooperative learning and the state of the field

2023

Book Chapter

Promoting dialogic talk during cooperative learning

Gillies, Robyn M. (2023). Promoting dialogic talk during cooperative learning. Contemporary global perspectives on cooperative learning: applications across educational contexts. (pp. 197-207) edited by Robyn M. Gillies, Barbara Millis and Neil Davidson. New York: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003268192-19

Promoting dialogic talk during cooperative learning

2023

Journal Article

Teacher learning through dialogue with colleagues, self and students

Khong, Thi Diem Hang, Saito, Eisuke, Hardy, Ian and Gillies, Robyn (2023). Teacher learning through dialogue with colleagues, self and students. Educational Research, 65 (2), 170-188. doi: 10.1080/00131881.2023.2192226

Teacher learning through dialogue with colleagues, self and students

2023

Book Chapter

Bringing it all together: some concluding remarks

Gillies, Robyn M., Millis, Barbara and Davidson, Neil (2023). Bringing it all together: some concluding remarks. Contemporary global perspectives on cooperative learning: applications across educational contexts. (pp. 268-270) edited by Robyn M. Gillies, Barbara Millis and Neil Davidson. New York, NY, United States: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003268192

Bringing it all together: some concluding remarks

2023

Journal Article

Specialty preferences of studying-abroad medical students from low- and middle-income countries

Li, Wen, Gillies, Robyn M., Liu, Chang, Chen, Jiayi, Zhang, Xiaoning, Cheng, Bin, Dai, Jing, Fu, Ning, Li, Lin, Liu, Shenjun and Sun, Hong (2023). Specialty preferences of studying-abroad medical students from low- and middle-income countries. BMC Medical Education, 23 (1) 158, 1-12. doi: 10.1186/s12909-023-04123-5

Specialty preferences of studying-abroad medical students from low- and middle-income countries

2023

Book Chapter

Teaching science that is inquiry-based: practices and principles

Gillies, Robyn M. (2023). Teaching science that is inquiry-based: practices and principles. Challenges in science education: global perspectives for the future. (pp. 39-58) edited by Gregory P. Thomas and Helen J. Boon. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-18092-7_3

Teaching science that is inquiry-based: practices and principles

2023

Journal Article

Perceptions of trainees and trainers towards diversity management in applying cooperative learning in technical and vocational colleges

Gebremaria, Getachew Robo, Kidan, Befekadu Zeleke and Gillies, Robyn (2023). Perceptions of trainees and trainers towards diversity management in applying cooperative learning in technical and vocational colleges. International Journal of Higher Education, 12 (1), 83-95. doi: 10.5430/ijhe.v12n1p83

Perceptions of trainees and trainers towards diversity management in applying cooperative learning in technical and vocational colleges

2023

Book

Contemporary Global Perspectives on Cooperative Learning : Applications Across Educational Contexts

Gillies, Robyn M., Millis, Barbara and Davidson, Neil (2023). Contemporary Global Perspectives on Cooperative Learning : Applications Across Educational Contexts. New York: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003268192

Contemporary Global Perspectives on Cooperative Learning : Applications Across Educational Contexts

2023

Journal Article

Psychophysiological methods to study the triggers of interest: a Singapore case study

Tan, Aik Lim, Gillies, Robyn and Jamaludin, Azilawati (2023). Psychophysiological methods to study the triggers of interest: a Singapore case study. Current Psychology, 42 (32), 28298-28308. doi: 10.1007/s12144-022-03936-9

Psychophysiological methods to study the triggers of interest: a Singapore case study

2023

Book Chapter

Challenges in teaching using inquiry-based science

Gillies, Robyn M. (2023). Challenges in teaching using inquiry-based science. Debates in science education. (pp. 101-114) edited by Justin Dillon and Mike Watts. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge/Taylor and Francis. doi: 10.4324/9781003137894-10

Challenges in teaching using inquiry-based science

2022

Book Chapter

Dialogic talk during collaborative learning

Gillies, Robyn M. (2022). Dialogic talk during collaborative learning. The Oxford handbook of educational psychology. (pp. 1-27) edited by Angela O'Donnell, Nicole C. Barnes and Johnmarshall Reeve. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199841332.013.25

Dialogic talk during collaborative learning

2022

Journal Article

Teaching cooperative learning through cooperative learning environment: a qualitative follow-up of an experimental study

Keramati , Mohammad Reza and Gillies Robyn M. (2022). Teaching cooperative learning through cooperative learning environment: a qualitative follow-up of an experimental study. Interactive Learning Environments, 32 (3), 1-13. doi: 10.1080/10494820.2022.2100429

Teaching cooperative learning through cooperative learning environment: a qualitative follow-up of an experimental study

2022

Journal Article

Editorial: Pedagogical practices that promote student communication, problem-solving and learning in a digital age

Gillies, Robyn M. (2022). Editorial: Pedagogical practices that promote student communication, problem-solving and learning in a digital age. Frontiers in Education, 7 957845. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2022.957845

Editorial: Pedagogical practices that promote student communication, problem-solving and learning in a digital age

2022

Journal Article

Exploring the unexpected transition to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic in an Ethiopian-public-university context

Bishaw, Alemayehu, Tadesse, Tefera, Campbell, Chris and Gillies, Robyn M. (2022). Exploring the unexpected transition to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic in an Ethiopian-public-university context. Education Sciences, 12 (6) 399, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/educsci12060399

Exploring the unexpected transition to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic in an Ethiopian-public-university context

2022

Journal Article

Perceptions of nursing students on the effect of cooperative learning on academic achievement and learning environment

Keramati, Mohammad Reza and Gillies, Robyn M. (2022). Perceptions of nursing students on the effect of cooperative learning on academic achievement and learning environment. Interactive Learning Environments, 31 (10), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/10494820.2022.2043388

Perceptions of nursing students on the effect of cooperative learning on academic achievement and learning environment

2022

Journal Article

Perceptions of undergraduate students on the effect of cooperative learning on academic achievement

Keramati, Mohammad Reza and Gillies, Robyn Margaret (2022). Perceptions of undergraduate students on the effect of cooperative learning on academic achievement. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 14 (1), 440-452. doi: 10.1108/JARHE-07-2020-0239

Perceptions of undergraduate students on the effect of cooperative learning on academic achievement

2022

Book

Cooperative/collaborative learning

Robyn M. Gillies ed. (2022). Cooperative/collaborative learning. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI . doi: 10.3390/books978-3-0365-2970-7

Cooperative/collaborative learning

2022

Journal Article

Ikaskuntzarako atzeraelikadura-matrize bat

Brooks, Cam, Carroll, Annemaree, Gillies, Robyn and Hattie, John (2022). Ikaskuntzarako atzeraelikadura-matrize bat. e-Hizpide. Helduen euskalduntzearen aldizkaria (100). doi: 10.54512/psok9612

Ikaskuntzarako atzeraelikadura-matrize bat

2021

Journal Article

Advantages and challenges of cooperative learning in two different cultures

Keramati, Mohammad Reza and Gillies, Robyn M. (2021). Advantages and challenges of cooperative learning in two different cultures. Education Sciences, 12 (3) 3, 3. doi: 10.3390/educsci12010003

Advantages and challenges of cooperative learning in two different cultures

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    Contract for intellectual services relative to the global network of learning schools
    Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    'We need to talk' : Genomics and disability
    MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission, Project Grant administered by AusIndustry
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Community-based STEM professional learning for teachers of middle years
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    QGC/QMN STEM Education Partnership Program: A Professional Learning, Research and Evaluation Plan for 2015 and 2016
    Queensland Museum
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    School-wide approaches for developing social and emotional wellbeing: New understandings of positive identities, emotions and learning in adolescents
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Queensland Primary Teachers' Professional Development Model for Collaborative Multimodal Inquiry Practices in Science: Responding to the Demands of the Australian Curriculum.
    Queensland Department of Education, Training and Employment
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Step up! Transforming mathematics and science pre-service secondary teacher education in Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2019
    The Science of Learning Research Centre
    ARC Special Research Initiative for a Science of Learning Research Centre
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2015
    Investing in our Disadvantaged Youth: New School-Wide Approaches to Understanding and Improving School Engagement and Social Connectedness
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    2011 UQ Trans-Pacific Fellowship - Resilience in Sport: A Cross-National Comparison
    UQ Trans-Pacific Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Supporting schools and teachers to improve students' reading achievement in rural communities
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Transforming primary teachers' representational practices: Effects on students' scientific reasoning and discourse within contemporary sciences
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Inquiry Teaching in Mathematics: Accelerating the process of change
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Comparative effectiveness of two strategic and meta-cognitive questioning approaches on children s explanatory behaviour, problem-solving, and learning during cooperative, inquiry-based learning
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    The effects of teacher and student dialogues during cooperative learning on students' discourse, problem-solving, and learning
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Effects of training teachers in communication skills during cooperative learning on classroom discourse social inclusion and learning among middle-year students.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    School Reform and Literacy In Secondary Schools
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    The effects of cooperative learning and communication training on classroom discourse, social inclusion, and learning among primary school students
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2002
    The effectiveness of peer collaboration compared with teacher-directed instruction for students with learning difficulties in writing
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2002
    Effects of teacher/student interactions in cooperative learning on the development of small group communication and prosocial behaviours in children during the middle years of schooling
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Effects of Cooperative Learning on Young Adolescents' Learning and Small Group Interactions
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Robyn Gillies is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Dialogic Pedagogy and the Impact on Gender Equality in Classroom Interactions

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Deborah Brown

  • Master Philosophy

    Pedagogies that promote cognitivee and academic success

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Thinking as collaboration: Exploring students thinking via collaborative endeavours in the primary school classroom

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Peter Ellerton

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Built In or Bolt On? A Policy Analysis of Non-Government Programs in Indigenous Education

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Ian Hardy

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Cultural Competence Strategies to Support Chinese International Students Studying in Australia

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Elizabeth Edwards

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Implementing Quality Management in Saudi Education by Designing a Program to Improve Teachers¿ Performance

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Cultural Competence Strategies to Support Chinese International Students Studying in Australia

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Elizabeth Edwards

  • Master Philosophy

    Giving Our Girls A Voice: Using Dialogic Teaching to improve gender equity in classrooms.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Deborah Brown

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Career Development and Career-Related Choices of China-Educated International Medical Students: Insights for Career Guidance

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Asaduzzaman Khan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Student and Teacher Relationship: Exploring Behavioural and Neuroscience Variables that impact upon Student and Teacher Wellbeing

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chase Sherwell, Professor Ross Cunnington

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Cultural Competence Strategies to Support Chinese International Students Studying in Australia

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Elizabeth Edwards

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Career Development and Career-Related Choices of China-Educated International Medical Students: Insights for Career Guidance

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Asaduzzaman Khan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Critical thinking reflected in the academic writing of Chinese and Australian PhD students

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Garth Stahl

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Exploring Language Learning Strategies and Learners¿ Identities Using WhatsApp Chats to Enhance the Learning of Arabic Grammar in Cooperative Learning Settings Online

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Simone Smala

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Robyn Gillies directly for media enquiries about:

  • Behaviour - children in schools
  • Child behaviour in school
  • Discipline - in schools
  • Group learning
  • Guidance counselling - in schools
  • Learning - cooperative group
  • School - child behaviour
  • School - guidance counselling
  • Schools and discipline

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