Doctoral study in STEM Education

STEM subjects enable people to understand the world in ways that promote problem solving and innovation. STEM subjects are often positioned as important for personal and social development. STEM education research in our faculty considers both learning and teaching in STEM, and STEM’s wider role in society. We also critique STEM discourses, and consider the intersections of, and relationships among, mātauranga Māori, Pacific knowledges and STEM.

STEM research in our faculty includes research about each of the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and about STEM as an integrated whole. Our research covers all levels of education, from early childhood to tertiary study, trades and apprenticeships. A range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and diverse theoretical frameworks, are employed to understand STEM-related phenomena - from close observation of how learning occurs, to studies of socio-political forces and policy making in STEM. As well as studying technology education, various forms of technology are used as research methods, including virtual reality, AI and online games.

Key research themes in our group are:

• Learning in STEM, including the use of technology in learning, and how learners gain STEM concepts
• Teaching in STEM, including how we teach contentious ideas, how people learn to teach STEM and ways of representing and communicating concepts in STEM
• Participation and success in STEM, at school and post-school levels, considering ethnicity, culture, gender, identity, emotion and dis/ability and inclusion
• STEM and society, including the intersection of culture and STEM, teaching contentious issues, policy making and curriculum design, and the recruitment and retention of STEM teachers.

STEM research takes place across the University, in the Faculties of Science and Engineering and Design, as well as the Faculty of Arts and Education. This page presents the work of STEM researchers in the Faculty of Arts and Education. Please also see:

• Mathematics Education Unit (Faculty of Science)
• Engineering Education Research Centre (Faculty of Engineering and Design)
• Computing education (Faculty of Science)
• Statistics education research (Faculty of Science)

Pursue your topic with us and benefit from exceptional standards of support and supervision from nationally and internationally recognised researchers in the following broad research areas:

Mathematics

Piata Allen, Megan Clune, Lisa Darragh, Fiona Ell, Hana Turner-Adams

Science

Sally Birdsall, Maurice Cheng, Megan Clune, Hana Turner-Adams

Technology

Piata Allen, Megan Clune, Kerry Lee, Hana Turner-Adams

STEM holistically

Megan Clune, Jo Smith

'Children’s everyday mathematical experiences (EMEs) in Hong Kong kindergarten settings' | Supervised by Dr Angel Chan, Emeritus Professor Helen Hedges and Dr Deborah Widdowson

'Developing, fostering, and enriching young children's STEM related working theories: Mediating influences and models' | Supervised by Emeritus Professor Helen Hedges, Dr Rena Heap and Dr Gillian Ward

'Enacting the 3rd Cycle Science Education Curriculum in Timor-Leste' | Supervised by Associate Professor Bev France, Associate Professor Sally Birdsall and Dr Ritesh Shah

'Evaluating socio-scientific issues in the media by applying nature of science knowledge and media literacy skills' | Supervised Maurice Cheng (HKU)

'How international students construct mathematical identities in first-year mathematics' | Supervised by Igor Kontorovich and Dr Lisa Darragh

How Primary School Students' Arguments Develop: Taking Initial Steps in a Deductive Discourse' | Supervised by Igor Kontorovich, Associate Professor Caroline Yoon and Associate Professor Fiona Ell

'Learning about multiplication: An interpretation of a transition' | Supervised by Dr Kay Irwin and Professor Stuart McNaughton

'Making Sense of International Students' Experiences when Transitioning to Undergraduate Mathematics: An Exploration of Mathematical Identities' | Supervised by Igor Kontorovich and Dr Lisa Darragh

'Raising the curtain on mathematics identity: The drama of transition to secondary school' | Supervised by Associate Professor Fiona Ell and Emeritus Professor Bill Barton

Rescuing biodiversity in paradise: A qualitative investigation of students’ perceptions of risk' | Supervised by Associate Professor Bev France and Associate Professor Sally Birdsall

'Same, same, but different! Exploring children's understandings of within-species variation' | Supervised by Associate Professor Sally Birdsall and Associate Professor Bev France

'The effect of integrated STEM education program on secondary school students’ attitudes towards science' | Supervised by Maurice Cheng (HKU)

'The Impact of Professional Learning and Development on Teachers' Efficacy Beliefs and Implementation of the Hangarau Matihiko and Digital Technologies Curricula' | Supervised by Dr Kerry Lee, Associate Professor Sean Sturm and Dr Nasser Giacaman

'Understanding Learners in Mathematics: The Students' Voice' | Supervised by Associate Professor Fiona Ell and Dr Kerry Lee

• University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarships