Katherine McLay

Katherine McLay serves as a distinguished educator and researcher at the University of Queensland's School of Education, where she explores the interconnections among education, technology, societal dynamics, and policy. Her academic journey builds on 18 years of teaching experience, including a decade as Head of Senior English at independent schools across Queensland and Victoria. Her research delves into critical inquiries that expand understanding of teaching and learning as complex social and relational processes, drawing on sociocultural theories including Vygotsky and Bakhtin. McLay's doctoral work, culminating in her thesis "iKnow, iAm, iPad," investigated how high school students use iPads as learning tools through a reflexive microethnographic approach. As a member of the Editorial Team for Qwerty: Interdisciplinary Journal of Technology, Culture and Education, she continues to shape discourse around educational technology. Her current research spans diverse learning ecosystems, from traditional classrooms to digital environments, with particular focus on digital equity, identity formation, and technology-enhanced learning. Her work has produced numerous influential publications examining the intersection of technology, education, and student identity development