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)

101 - 120 of 278 works

2015

Book Chapter

Education reform: Learning from past experience and overseas success

Gillies, Robyn M. (2015). Education reform: Learning from past experience and overseas success. Change! :Combining analytic approaches with street wisdom. (pp. 193-204) edited by Gabriele Bammer. Acton, ACT Australia: ANU Press.

Education reform: Learning from past experience and overseas success

2015

Journal Article

The effects of scientific representations on primary students’ development of scientific discourse and conceptual understandings during cooperative contemporary inquiry-science

Gillies, Robyn M., Nichols, Kim and Khan, Asaduzzaman (2015). The effects of scientific representations on primary students’ development of scientific discourse and conceptual understandings during cooperative contemporary inquiry-science. Cambridge Journal of Education, 45 (4), 427-449. doi: 10.1080/0305764x.2014.988681

The effects of scientific representations on primary students’ development of scientific discourse and conceptual understandings during cooperative contemporary inquiry-science

2015

Book Chapter

Teacher dialogue that supports collaborative learning in the classroom

Gillies, Robyn M. (2015). Teacher dialogue that supports collaborative learning in the classroom. Socializing intelligence through academic talk and dialoguee. (pp. 335-345) edited by Lauren B. Resnick, Christa S. C. Asterhan and Sherice N. Clarke. Washington DC, United States: American Educational Research Association (AERA). doi: 10.3102/978-0-935302-43-1_26

Teacher dialogue that supports collaborative learning in the classroom

2015

Book Chapter

Developments in collaborative learning

Gillies, Robyn M. (2015). Developments in collaborative learning. Collaborative Learning: Developments in Research and Practice. (pp. 1-15) edited by Robyn M. Gillies. New York, United States: Nova Science Publishers.

Developments in collaborative learning

2015

Journal Article

Primary teachers' representational practices: From competency to fluency

Nichols, Kim, Stevenson, Michael, Hedberg, John and Gillies, Robyn (2015). Primary teachers' representational practices: From competency to fluency. Cambridge Journal of Education, 46 (4), 509-531. doi: 10.1080/0305764X.2015.1068741

Primary teachers' representational practices: From competency to fluency

2015

Journal Article

Social interactions that support students' self-regulated learning: A case study of one teacher's experiences

Alvi, Effat and Gillies, Robyn M. (2015). Social interactions that support students' self-regulated learning: A case study of one teacher's experiences. International Journal of Educational Research, 72, 14-25. doi: 10.1016/j.ijer.2015.04.008

Social interactions that support students' self-regulated learning: A case study of one teacher's experiences

2014

Journal Article

The meaning of out-of-field teaching for educational leadership

Du Plessis, Anna E., Carroll, Annemaree and Gillies, Robyn M. (2014). The meaning of out-of-field teaching for educational leadership. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 20 (1), 87-112. doi: 10.1080/13603124.2014.962618

The meaning of out-of-field teaching for educational leadership

2014

Journal Article

Collaborative Engagement: A Key Construct for the Successful Delivery of Programmes and Services for Children and Youth with Special Education Needs INTRODUCTION

Gillies, Robyn M. (2014). Collaborative Engagement: A Key Construct for the Successful Delivery of Programmes and Services for Children and Youth with Special Education Needs INTRODUCTION. International Journal of Disability Development and Education, 61 (4), 327-331. doi: 10.1080/1034912X.2014.956001

Collaborative Engagement: A Key Construct for the Successful Delivery of Programmes and Services for Children and Youth with Special Education Needs INTRODUCTION

2014

Journal Article

Developments in cooperative learning: review of research

Gillies, Robyn M. (2014). Developments in cooperative learning: review of research. Anales De Psicologia, 30 (3), 792-801. doi: 10.6018/analesps.30.3.201191

Developments in cooperative learning: review of research

2014

Journal Article

Understanding the lived experiences of novice out-of-field teachers in relation to school leadership practices

Du Plessis, Anna, Carroll, Annemaree and Gillies, Robyn M. (2014). Understanding the lived experiences of novice out-of-field teachers in relation to school leadership practices. Asia - Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 43 (1), 4-21. doi: 10.1080/1359866X.2014.937393

Understanding the lived experiences of novice out-of-field teachers in relation to school leadership practices

2014

Journal Article

The role of assessment in informing interventions for students with special education needs

Gillies, Robyn M. (2014). The role of assessment in informing interventions for students with special education needs. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 61 (1), 1-5. doi: 10.1080/1034912X.2014.878528

The role of assessment in informing interventions for students with special education needs

2014

Journal Article

Out-of-field teaching and professional development: a transnational investigation across Australia and South Africa

du Plessis, Anna E., Gillies, Robyn M. and Carroll, Annemaree (2014). Out-of-field teaching and professional development: a transnational investigation across Australia and South Africa. International Journal of Educational Research, 66, 90-102. doi: 10.1016/j.ijer.2014.03.002

Out-of-field teaching and professional development: a transnational investigation across Australia and South Africa

2014

Journal Article

The FRIENDS emotional health program for minority groups at risk

Iizuka, Cristina A., Barrett, Paula M, Gillies, Robyn, Cook, Clayton R and Miller, Debbie (2014). The FRIENDS emotional health program for minority groups at risk. Journal of School Health, 84 (2), 124-132. doi: 10.1111/josh.12127

The FRIENDS emotional health program for minority groups at risk

2014

Conference Publication

Cooperative learning: the behavioural and neurological markers that help to explain its success

Gillies, Robyn and Cunnington, Ross (2014). Cooperative learning: the behavioural and neurological markers that help to explain its success. ACER Research Conference 2014, Adelaide, Australia, 3-5 August 2014. Camberwell, VIC, Australia: Australian Council for Educational Research.

Cooperative learning: the behavioural and neurological markers that help to explain its success

2014

Journal Article

Cooperative learning: developments in research

Gillies, Robyn M. (2014). Cooperative learning: developments in research. International Journal of Educational Psychology, 3 (2), 125-140. doi: 10.4471/ijep.2014.08

Cooperative learning: developments in research

2014

Journal Article

How to support primary teachers’ implementation of inquiry: teachers’ reflections on teaching cooperative inquiry-based science

Gillies, Robyn M. and Nichols, Kim (2014). How to support primary teachers’ implementation of inquiry: teachers’ reflections on teaching cooperative inquiry-based science. Research in Science Education, 45 (2), 171-191. doi: 10.1007/s11165-014-9418-x

How to support primary teachers’ implementation of inquiry: teachers’ reflections on teaching cooperative inquiry-based science

2014

Book Chapter

The teacher's role in promoting dialogic talk in the collaborative classroom

Gillies, Robyn M. (2014). The teacher's role in promoting dialogic talk in the collaborative classroom. Collaborative learning: theory, strategies and educational benefits. (pp. 55-67) edited by Stephen Rutherford. New York , United States: Nova Science Publishers.

The teacher's role in promoting dialogic talk in the collaborative classroom

2014

Journal Article

A combined intervention targeting both teachers’ and students’ social-emotional skills: preliminary evaluation of students’ outcomes

Iizuka, Cristina Akiko, Barrett, Paula M., Gillies, Robyn, Cook, Clayton R. and Marinovic, Welber (2014). A combined intervention targeting both teachers’ and students’ social-emotional skills: preliminary evaluation of students’ outcomes. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 24 (2), 152-166. doi: 10.1017/jgc.2014.12

A combined intervention targeting both teachers’ and students’ social-emotional skills: preliminary evaluation of students’ outcomes

2014

Conference Publication

Pre-service primary teachers' argumentation in socioscientific issues

Pezaro, Charlotte, Wright, Tony and Gillies, Robyn (2014). Pre-service primary teachers' argumentation in socioscientific issues. Frontiers in Mathematics and Science Education Research Conference, Famagusta, North Cyprus, 1-3 May 2014. Podgorica, Montenegro: Bastas Publications. doi: 10.30935/scimath/9627

Pre-service primary teachers' argumentation in socioscientific issues

2013

Journal Article

Making reasonable adjustments: what can we do for students with disabilities?

Gillies, Robyn M. (2013). Making reasonable adjustments: what can we do for students with disabilities?. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 60 (4), 291-294. doi: 10.1080/1034912X.2013.846018

Making reasonable adjustments: what can we do for students with disabilities?

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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