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Associate Professor Louise Kuchel
Associate Professor

Louise Kuchel

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 51034
Phone: 
+61 7 344 32650

Overview

Background

My current research is all about finding ways to improve teaching and student learning, with a focus on biology and other sciences. This is a new and exciting direction for me to which I and my group are now dedicated. Of particular interest to me is finding ways to improve communication abilities of science students through the design, testing and implementation of effective curricula, class activities and assessment methods. Naturally, no learning occurs in isolation, so my current research also looks at learning scientific reasoning, information literacy, and how to improve the relevance and authenticity of practical/lab classes and assessment tasks.

Previously my research focussed on using physiological approaches and techniques to address questions in ecology, conservation and aquaculture, especially in vertebrates living in extreme environments (see references for examples). I continue to be involved in biological research through teaching, co-supervision and examination of postgraduate students.

My current projects aim to find effective ways to...

  • Improve abilities of first year biology students to work effectively in groups.
  • Improve science students’ communication abilities through the development and implementation of a new 3rd year course titled Communicating in Science.
  • Improve scientific reasoning and writing in first year biology students.
  • Improve tutor support and consequently student learning through implementation of a program of tailored tutor professional development.
  • Improve information literacy in first year biology students.
  • Motivate students to improve their biological knowledge and use of modern communication technologies by implementing authentic assignments throughout the curriculum e.g., websites, video, blogs.
  • Improve the ability of students to articulate the skills and knowledge they develop in undergraduate ecology research through the use of a skills portfolio.
  • Improve student practice and confidence in avoiding plagiarism and adhering to academic integrity.

Availability

Associate Professor Louise Kuchel is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Western Australia
  • Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Postgraduate Diploma, The University of Queensland

Works

Search Professor Louise Kuchel’s works on UQ eSpace

37 works between 1998 and 2023

1 - 20 of 37 works

2023

Book Chapter

Rhetoric, influence and persuasion

Kuchel, Louise and Rowland, Susan (2023). Rhetoric, influence and persuasion. Teaching science students to communicate: a practical guide. (pp. 11-19) edited by Susan Rowland and Louise Kuchel. Cham, Switzerland: Springer-Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-91628-2_2

Rhetoric, influence and persuasion

2023

Book Chapter

Getting students to express an opinion

O'Brien, Katherine, Kuchel, Louise and Rowland, Susan (2023). Getting students to express an opinion. Teaching science students to communicate: a practical guide. (pp. 118-128) edited by Susan Rowland and Louise Kuchel. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-91628-2_13

Getting students to express an opinion

2023

Book Chapter

Learning to write from the way you read

Kuchel, Louise (2023). Learning to write from the way you read. Teaching science students to communicate: a practical guide. (pp. 153-157) edited by Susan Rowland and Louise Kuchel. Cham, Switzerland: Springer-Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-91628-2

Learning to write from the way you read

2023

Book Chapter

An introduction to science students and communication in the workplace

Kuchel, Louise and Rowland, Susan (2023). An introduction to science students and communication in the workplace. Teaching science students to communicate: a practical guide. (pp. 1-7) edited by Susan Rowland and Louise Kuchel. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-91628-2

An introduction to science students and communication in the workplace

2023

Book

Teaching science students to communicate: a practical guide

Susan Rowland and Louise Kuchel eds. (2023). Teaching science students to communicate: a practical guide. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-91628-2

Teaching science students to communicate: a practical guide

2023

Book Chapter

How to be a functional team member

Rasmussen, Amanda and Kuchel, Louise (2023). How to be a functional team member. Teaching science students to communicate: a practical guide. (pp. 513-519) edited by Susan Rowland and Louise Kuchel. Cham, Switzerland: Springer-Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-91628-2

How to be a functional team member

2023

Conference Publication

HDR workshop: tips and hacks for making your writing sing

Kuchel, Louise (2023). HDR workshop: tips and hacks for making your writing sing. Australian and New Zealand Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Gatton, QLD, Australia, 9-10 December 2023.

HDR workshop: tips and hacks for making your writing sing

2023

Conference Publication

Chatting about the curriculum: teaching students to communicate - a practical guide

Kuchel, Louise and Rowland, Susan (2023). Chatting about the curriculum: teaching students to communicate - a practical guide. Biosciences Education Australia Network, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 14-15 December 2023.

Chatting about the curriculum: teaching students to communicate - a practical guide

2023

Conference Publication

Assessing effectiveness and continuously improving student leadership programs

Clarke, Aimee, Kuchel, Louise and Rowland, Susan (2023). Assessing effectiveness and continuously improving student leadership programs. Student Transition and Retention Success (STARS), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 3-5 July 2023.

Assessing effectiveness and continuously improving student leadership programs

2020

Book Chapter

Insights for designing science communication training from formal science education: apply the mantra and be explicit

Kuchel, Louise (2020). Insights for designing science communication training from formal science education: apply the mantra and be explicit. Theory and best practices in science communication training. (pp. 104-121) edited by Todd P. Newman. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781351069366-8

Insights for designing science communication training from formal science education: apply the mantra and be explicit

2019

Journal Article

Teaching communication in general science degrees: highly valued but missing the mark

Stevens, Sarah, Mills, Rebecca and Kuchel, Louise (2019). Teaching communication in general science degrees: highly valued but missing the mark. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 44 (8), 1-14. doi: 10.1080/02602938.2019.1578861

Teaching communication in general science degrees: highly valued but missing the mark

2018

Journal Article

CLIPS (Communication Learning in Practice for Scientists): a new online resource leverages assessment to help students and academics improve science communication

Rowland, Susan, Hardy, James, Colthorpe, Kay, Pedwell, Rhianna and Kuchel, Louise (2018). CLIPS (Communication Learning in Practice for Scientists): a new online resource leverages assessment to help students and academics improve science communication. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, 19 (1) 1466. doi: 10.1128/jmbe.v19i1.1466

CLIPS (Communication Learning in Practice for Scientists): a new online resource leverages assessment to help students and academics improve science communication

2017

Journal Article

How do research-intensive research universities portray employability strategies? A review of their websites

Bennet, Dawn, Knight, Elizabeth, Divan, Aysha, Kuchel, Louise, Horn, Jody, van Reyk, David and Burke da Silva, Karen (2017). How do research-intensive research universities portray employability strategies? A review of their websites. Australian Journal of Career Development, 26 (2), 52-61. doi: 10.1177/1038416217714475

How do research-intensive research universities portray employability strategies? A review of their websites

2016

Journal Article

Welcome to volume 24 number 3

Kuchel, Louise, Hergt, Janet and Beames, Stephanie (2016). Welcome to volume 24 number 3. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 24 (3), i-iii.

Welcome to volume 24 number 3

2016

Journal Article

Integrating communication skills into undergraduate science degrees: A practical and evidence-based approach

Mercer-Mapstone, Lucy D. and Kuchel, Louise J. (2016). Integrating communication skills into undergraduate science degrees: A practical and evidence-based approach. Teaching and Learning Inquiry, 4 (2), 1-14. doi: 10.20343/teachlearninqu.4.2.11

Integrating communication skills into undergraduate science degrees: A practical and evidence-based approach

2015

Journal Article

Core skills for effective science communication: a teaching resource for undergraduate science education

Mercer-Mapstone, Lucy and Kuchel, Louise (2015). Core skills for effective science communication: a teaching resource for undergraduate science education. International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, 7 (2), 181-201. doi: 10.1080/21548455.2015.1113573

Core skills for effective science communication: a teaching resource for undergraduate science education

2015

Journal Article

Framing renewable energy: a comparative study of newspapers in Australia and Sweden

Djerf-Pierre, Monika, Cokley, John and Kuchel, Louise J. (2015). Framing renewable energy: a comparative study of newspapers in Australia and Sweden. Environmental Communication, 10 (5), 634-655. doi: 10.1080/17524032.2015.1056542

Framing renewable energy: a comparative study of newspapers in Australia and Sweden

2015

Journal Article

Teaching scientists to communicate: evidence-based assessment for undergraduate science education

Mercer-Mapstone, Lucy and Kuchel, Louise (2015). Teaching scientists to communicate: evidence-based assessment for undergraduate science education. International Journal of Science Education, 37 (10), 1613-1638. doi: 10.1080/09500693.2015.1045959

Teaching scientists to communicate: evidence-based assessment for undergraduate science education

2015

Journal Article

Cameras, competition and creativity: assessing 1st year ecology in the field

Kuchel, Louise, Wilson, Robbie S. and Ellis, William H. (2015). Cameras, competition and creativity: assessing 1st year ecology in the field. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 23 (2), 34-45.

Cameras, competition and creativity: assessing 1st year ecology in the field

2014

Journal Article

A Documentary video assignment to enhance learning in large first-year science classes

Kuchel, Louise J., Stevens, Sarah K., Wilson, Robbie and Cokley, John (2014). A Documentary video assignment to enhance learning in large first-year science classes. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 22 (4), 48-64.

A Documentary video assignment to enhance learning in large first-year science classes

Funding

Past funding

  • 2015 - 2016
    CLIPS: Communication learning in practice for scientists
    Technology-Enhanced Learning Grants
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Community engagement by first year biology students in assessing local biodiversity
    UQ Teaching & Learning Strategic Grants
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Embedding scientific reasoning in the first year science curriculum through authentic tasks: development of an effective model for implementation
    UQ New Staff Start-up Grants (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning)
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Associate Professor Louise Kuchel is:
Available for supervision

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

Media

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Louise Kuchel directly for media enquiries about:

  • Authentic assessment
  • Biology education
  • Communicating Science
  • Environmental education
  • Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
  • Science communication

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au