Overview
Background
An experienced researcher with a multi-disciplinary training background, Ning is a Research Fellow in the Inclusive Education and Employment research group at ISSR.
Ning has strong expertise in delivering multi-year collaborative research projects, including complex mix-method evaluation projects (e.g., the national evaluation of the Australian Government’s Paid Parental Leave scheme and a follow-up ARC Linkage Project, funded by the Department of Social Services).
Ning has also significantly contributed to a number of projects funded by Department of Education at federal and state levels and though various research grant schemes, utilising data from LSIC, LSAC, LSAY and HILDA to investigate the impacts of a range of factors (e.g., individual, family, school and community) on disadvantaged students’ outcomes, such as socio-emotional wellbeing, academic achievement, university participation and graduate labour market outcomes.
Ning has specialist expertise in literature review, constructing theoretical framework to guide data analyses, data preparation, management, screening and analysis, which she has applied to great effect in these projects. Ning has a track record of successfully delivering accessible and policy informing documentation. She also specialises in longitudinal data analysis, and has published extensively on school climate, student engagement, and long-term education and labour market outcomes for students from equity groups.
Availability
- Dr Ning Xiang is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Economics, Beijing University of Technology
- Masters (Coursework) of Education, Peking University
- Masters (Coursework) of Science, London School of Economics and Political Science
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Educational Equity and Student Outcomes
My work examines the structural, school, and family factors shaping students’ academic pathways, wellbeing, and long-term outcomes, with a strong focus on educational equity. I use longitudinal survey and linked administrative data to identify how socio-economic background, regionality, and school climate influence learning and transitions. This research informs state and federal policy and contributes to evidence-based strategies that support disadvantaged and under-represented students.
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Indigenous Education and Culturally Safe Schooling
I investigate the experiences and outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, particularly in their transitions through school. My work centres Indigenous-defined success, cultural safety, and strengths-based perspectives, drawing on quantitative analysis of LSIC and linked datasets. I collaborate closely with Indigenous advisors to ensure respectful interpretation and culturally grounded evidence to inform policy and systems change.
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Student Engagement, Wellbeing, and School Climate
My research explores how student engagement—behavioural, emotional, and cognitive—interacts with school climate and effective teaching practices to shape learning and wellbeing. I have contributed to multiple large-scale evaluations for education departments investigating belonging, attendance, and engagement drivers across diverse student groups. This work provides practical insights for improving classroom practices, school culture, and targeted student supports.
Works
Search Professor Ning Xiang’s works on UQ eSpace
2019
Conference Publication
School climate, student engagement and achievement across school sectors in Australia
Huang, Y., Xiang, N. and Tomaszewski, W. (2019). School climate, student engagement and achievement across school sectors in Australia. Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 1-5 December 2019.
2018
Other Outputs
Beyond graduation: socio-economic background and post-university outcomes of Australian graduates
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Perales, Francisco, Xiang, Ning and Kubler, Matthias (2018). Beyond graduation: socio-economic background and post-university outcomes of Australian graduates. LCC Working Paper Series. 2018-22. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
2018
Other Outputs
Labour market destinations and outcomes of Health and Behavioural Sciences graduates: what the Graduate Outcomes Survey can tell us
Xiang, Ning, Kubler, Matthias and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2018). Labour market destinations and outcomes of Health and Behavioural Sciences graduates: what the Graduate Outcomes Survey can tell us. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
2018
Other Outputs
Labour market destinations and outcomes of Business, Economics and Law graduates: what the Graduate Outcomes Survey can tell us
Xiang, Ning, Kubler, Matthias and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2018). Labour market destinations and outcomes of Business, Economics and Law graduates: what the Graduate Outcomes Survey can tell us. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
2018
Other Outputs
Business, economics and law graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data
Kubler, Matthias, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Xiang, Ning (2018). Business, economics and law graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: ISSR.
2018
Other Outputs
Labour market destinations and outcomes of Medicine graduates: what the Graduate Outcomes Survey can tell us
Xiang, Ning, Kubler, Matthias and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2018). Labour market destinations and outcomes of Medicine graduates: what the Graduate Outcomes Survey can tell us. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
2018
Other Outputs
Labour market destinations and outcomes of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology graduates: what the Graduate Outcomes Survey can tell us
Xiang, Ning, Kubler, Matthias and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2018). Labour market destinations and outcomes of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology graduates: what the Graduate Outcomes Survey can tell us. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
2018
Other Outputs
Health and behavioural sciences graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data
Kubler, Matthias, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Xiang, Ning (2018). Health and behavioural sciences graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: ISSR.
2018
Other Outputs
Science graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data
Kubler, Matthias, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Xiang, Ning (2018). Science graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: ISSR.
2018
Other Outputs
Engineering, architecture and information technology graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data
Kubler, Matthias, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Xiang, Ning (2018). Engineering, architecture and information technology graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: ISSR.
2018
Other Outputs
Labour market destinations and outcomes of Science graduates: what the Graduate Outcomes Survey can tell us
Xiang, Ning, Kubler, Matthias and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2018). Labour market destinations and outcomes of Science graduates: what the Graduate Outcomes Survey can tell us. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
2018
Other Outputs
Medicine graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data
Kubler, Matthias, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Xiang, Ning (2018). Medicine graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: ISSR.
2018
Other Outputs
Review of identified equity groups
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Kubler, Matthias, Perales, Francisco, Western, Mark, Rampino, Tina and Xiang, Ning (2018). Review of identified equity groups. Brisbane, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
2018
Other Outputs
Student engagement research and analysis: Phase 7 report, prepared for the NSW Department of Education
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Xiang, Ning and Huang, Yangtao (2018). Student engagement research and analysis: Phase 7 report, prepared for the NSW Department of Education. Brisbane: Institute for Social Science Research.
2018
Other Outputs
Student engagement research and analysis: Phase 6 report, prepared for the NSW Department of Education
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Huang, Yangtao and Xiang, Ning (2018). Student engagement research and analysis: Phase 6 report, prepared for the NSW Department of Education. Brisbane: Institute for Social Science Research.
2017
Other Outputs
HASS Graduate Employment Outcomes in Australia: An Analysis of Census Data
Kubler, M., Xiang, N., Tomaszewski, W. and Perales, F. (2017). HASS Graduate Employment Outcomes in Australia: An Analysis of Census Data.
2017
Other Outputs
Labour market Destinations and Outcomes of HASS graduates: What the Graduate Outcomes Survey Can Tell Us
Xiang, N., Tomaszewski, W., Perales, F. and Kubler, M. (2017). Labour market Destinations and Outcomes of HASS graduates: What the Graduate Outcomes Survey Can Tell Us.
2017
Other Outputs
Labour Market Destinations and Outcomes of HASS Graduates: What the HILDA Survey Can Tell Us
Perales, F., Xiang, N., Tomaszewski, W. and Kubler, M. (2017). Labour Market Destinations and Outcomes of HASS Graduates: What the HILDA Survey Can Tell Us.
2017
Other Outputs
NSW Student Engagement Research and Analysis: Phase 5 Report, prepared for the NSW Department of Education and Communities
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Xiang, Ning, Huang, Yangtao , Western, Mark and Bolano, D. (2017). NSW Student Engagement Research and Analysis: Phase 5 Report, prepared for the NSW Department of Education and Communities. Brisbane: Institute for Social Science Research.
2017
Journal Article
Career Guidance, school experiences and the university participation of young people from low socio-economic backgrounds
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Perales, Francisco and Xiang, Ning (2017). Career Guidance, school experiences and the university participation of young people from low socio-economic backgrounds. International Journal of Educational Research, 85, 11-23. doi: 10.1016/j.ijer.2017.06.003
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Ning Xiang is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
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