Robyn M Gillies

Robyn M. Gillies stands as a distinguished Professor of Education at The University of Queensland, where she has made significant contributions to understanding social and cognitive aspects of learning. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Educational Studies, Masters of Educational Studies, and Ph.D. from The University of Queensland. For over twenty years, she has conducted groundbreaking research on cooperative learning and student engagement, particularly focusing on STEM education initiatives in primary and secondary schools. As a Chief Investigator on the Science of Learning Research Centre, she has been instrumental in implementing science-based research projects that help teachers embed inquiry-science pedagogy into their curricula. Her extensive research portfolio includes 11 Australian Research Council grants, focusing on inquiry learning in science and mathematics, teacher and peer-mediated learning, and classroom processes. Gillies has authored over 100 journal articles, five books, and numerous book chapters, establishing herself as a leading authority in educational research. Her exceptional contributions have earned her prestigious recognition, including the 2006 Outstanding Contribution Award from the American Educational Research Association and the 2010 Achievement Award from the International Association for the Study of Cooperation in Education. Her work has been internationally recognized, with her recommendations on translating research into practice being featured by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Currently, she continues to advance educational practices through research on classroom discourses, small group processes, co-regulated learning, and supporting students with disabilities