Professor Robyn Gillies
Professor

Robyn Gillies

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+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)

241 - 260 of 278 works

1998

Journal Article

The effects of different ability compositions on cooperative group behaviours

Gillies, Robyn M. (1998). The effects of different ability compositions on cooperative group behaviours. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 8, 39-48. doi: 10.1017/s1037291100003733

The effects of different ability compositions on cooperative group behaviours

1998

Journal Article

Counselling children: a practical introduction, K. Geldard, & D. Geldard, London Sage (1997), ISBN 0 7619 555

Gillies, Robyn (1998). Counselling children: a practical introduction, K. Geldard, & D. Geldard, London Sage (1997), ISBN 0 7619 555. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 8, 123-123. doi: 10.1017/s1037291100003812

Counselling children: a practical introduction, K. Geldard, & D. Geldard, London Sage (1997), ISBN 0 7619 555

1998

Journal Article

The effects of different ability compositions on cooperative group behaviours

Gillies, R. M. (1998). The effects of different ability compositions on cooperative group behaviours. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 8 (1), 39-47.

The effects of different ability compositions on cooperative group behaviours

1997

Journal Article

Collaborative interactions in young children

Gillies, R. M. (1997). Collaborative interactions in young children. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 22 (2), 39-44. doi: 10.1177/183693919702200209

Collaborative interactions in young children

1997

Conference Publication

The effect of cooperative learning experiences on children's social and helping behaviours in the middle primary school years

Gillies, R. M. (1997). The effect of cooperative learning experiences on children's social and helping behaviours in the middle primary school years. Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE), Brisbane, Australia, 30 November - 4 December 1997. AARE.

The effect of cooperative learning experiences on children's social and helping behaviours in the middle primary school years

1997

Journal Article

Relationship between use of technology and employment rates for people with physical disabilities in Australia: Implications for education and training programmes

Pell, S. D., Gillies, R. M. and Carss, M. (1997). Relationship between use of technology and employment rates for people with physical disabilities in Australia: Implications for education and training programmes. Disability And Rehabilitation, 19 (8), 332-338. doi: 10.3109/09638289709166547

Relationship between use of technology and employment rates for people with physical disabilities in Australia: Implications for education and training programmes

1997

Conference Publication

Career guidance and counselling for blind and vision impaired people

Knight, K. and Gillies, R. M. (1997). Career guidance and counselling for blind and vision impaired people. International School Psychology XXth Annual Colloquium, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 15-19 July, 1997. Melbourne, Australia: Australian Guidance and Counselling Association (AGCA).

Career guidance and counselling for blind and vision impaired people

1997

Conference Publication

Interactions of Children in Classroom-Based Workgroups

Gillies, R. M. (1997). Interactions of Children in Classroom-Based Workgroups. Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL, 24-28 March, 1997. AERA.

Interactions of Children in Classroom-Based Workgroups

1997

Journal Article

Children's cooperative behavior and interactions in trained and untrained work groups in regular classrooms

Ashman, A. F. and Gillies, R. M. (1997). Children's cooperative behavior and interactions in trained and untrained work groups in regular classrooms. Journal of School Psychology, 35 (3), 261-279. doi: 10.1016/S0022-4405(97)00007-1

Children's cooperative behavior and interactions in trained and untrained work groups in regular classrooms

1997

Conference Publication

Evaluating a career development intervention

Gillies, R. M., McMahon, M. L. and Carroll, J. (1997). Evaluating a career development intervention. International School Psychology XXth Annual Colloquium, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, July 15-19, 1997. Melbourne, Australia: Australian Guidance and Counselling Association (AGCA).

Evaluating a career development intervention

1997

Journal Article

The effects of training in cooperative learning on differential students behavior and achievement

Gillies, R. M. and Ashman, A. F. (1997). The effects of training in cooperative learning on differential students behavior and achievement. Journal of Classroom Interaction, 32, 1-10.

The effects of training in cooperative learning on differential students behavior and achievement

1996

Journal Article

Promoting cooperative behaviours in student work groups

Gillies, R. M. (1996). Promoting cooperative behaviours in student work groups. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 6 (1), 53-60. doi: 10.1017/s1037291100001497

Promoting cooperative behaviours in student work groups

1996

Journal Article

Teaching collaborative skills to primary school children in classroom-based work groups

Gillies, R. M. and Ashman, A. F. (1996). Teaching collaborative skills to primary school children in classroom-based work groups. Learning and Instruction, 6 (3), 187-200.

Teaching collaborative skills to primary school children in classroom-based work groups

1996

Journal Article

Teaching collaborative skills to elementary school children in classroom-based work groups

Gillies, R. M. and Ashman, A. F. (1996). Teaching collaborative skills to elementary school children in classroom-based work groups. Learning and Instruction, 6 (3), 187-200. doi: 10.1016/0959-4752(96)00002-3

Teaching collaborative skills to elementary school children in classroom-based work groups

1996

Conference Publication

Cooperative Interventions: Strategies To Promote Positive Behaviour

Gillies, Robyn M. (1996). Cooperative Interventions: Strategies To Promote Positive Behaviour. Annual Meeting of the Queensland Guidance and Counselling Association, Brisbane, Queensland, September, 1996. Brisbane, Queensland: QGCA.

Cooperative Interventions: Strategies To Promote Positive Behaviour

1996

Edited Outputs

Contemporary practice in school guidance and counselling. Proceedings of the ninth Queensland Guidance & Counselling Association conference

Burnett, P. C., Gillies, R. M., McMahon, M. L. and Wackwitz, H. F. eds. (1996). Contemporary practice in school guidance and counselling. Proceedings of the ninth Queensland Guidance & Counselling Association conference. Moving on, traditional wisdom in contemporary practice, Brisbane, Queensland, 1996. Brisbane, Australia: Queensland Guidance and Counselling Association.

Contemporary practice in school guidance and counselling. Proceedings of the ninth Queensland Guidance & Counselling Association conference

1996

Conference Publication

This paper reports on a six week study that provides support for the importance of structuring cooperative groups to promote cooperative group behaviours and interactions

Gillies, R. M. (1996). This paper reports on a six week study that provides support for the importance of structuring cooperative groups to promote cooperative group behaviours and interactions. Ninth Queensland Guidance and Counselling Association Inc, Brisbane, Australia, 1996. Brisbane, Australia: Queensland Guidance and Counselling Association (QGCA).

This paper reports on a six week study that provides support for the importance of structuring cooperative groups to promote cooperative group behaviours and interactions

1995

Journal Article

Peer learning in schools

Gillies, R. M. (1995). Peer learning in schools. Queensland Teachers Union Professional Magazine, 13 (1), 13-17.

Peer learning in schools

1995

Journal Article

Reporting research for teachers: Current developments in peer learning

Gillies, R. M. and Ashman, A. F. (1995). Reporting research for teachers: Current developments in peer learning. Unicorn, 21 (1), 77-88.

Reporting research for teachers: Current developments in peer learning

1995

Journal Article

Behavioural interactions of children in classroom-based work groups

Gillies, R. M and Ashman, A. F. (1995). Behavioural interactions of children in classroom-based work groups. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 5 (1), 67-80. doi: 10.1017/s1037291100001734

Behavioural interactions of children in classroom-based work groups

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

    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

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

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Peter Ellerton

  • 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

    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

    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

    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

    Cultural Competence Strategies to Support Chinese International Students Studying in Australia

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Elizabeth Edwards

  • Master Philosophy

    Pedagogies that promote cognitivee and academic success

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Dialogic Pedagogy and the Impact on Gender Equality in Classroom Interactions

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Deborah Brown

  • 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

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Garth Stahl

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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