Personal profile

Biography

Karen is the Director of Professional Experience, Faculty of Education, and Senior Lecturer of Psychology Education in the School of Curriculum, Teaching and Inclusive Education at Monash University. Her research interests relate to teacher education, including: developing the pedagogical knowledge of pre-service teachers; exploring teachers' curriculum making (policy, broker, school and classroom); teaching psychological science in integrated ways to engage learners to explore its value, complexity and relevance within our society; and the value of coteaching in Initial Teacher Education.

Karen aims to raise the profile of teaching psychology in schools, especially establishing psychology's place in the curriculum and ongoing support and advocacy for psychology teachers as professionals. She is interested in developing shared meanings for teaching psychology as a contemporary science, and ways to connect and build on learning experiences for fostering psychological literacy for more hopeful, just and sustainable futures. 

Karen has extensive experience as a teacher educator, working in a number of leadership roles within different initial teacher education programs at Monash University and previously at University of Melbourne. She has enjoyed key roles in building school connections and faciliating quality professional experiences (placements) for pre-service teachers. 

Karen has significant experience as a school teacher in a range of Australian and International schools, and chairing curriculum authority examination and curriculum panels. Karen is co-author of a popular secondary psychology textbook series, has contributed to science texts and was president on a Primary School Council for many years. 

Karen is an elected member of Australian Psychological Society (APS) Division of Psychology, Research, Education and Training (DPRET) committee, secretary of APS Psychology Education Interest Group and Australian Psychology Learning and Teaching (AusPLAT), and founder of the Australian Teachers of Psychology (AusTOP) network.  

Research interests

Psychology education (Psychology teachers, teaching and learning of psychology)

Teaching climate change education, socioscientific/ societal issues.

Teacher education, curriculum making, out-of-field teaching, coteaching, and teachers' pedagogical knowledge.

 

Monash Education Research Groups:

Education, Environment and Sustainability (EES) Research Group

Plants + People + Pedagogies Research Group

Transforming Initial Teacher Education for Social Impact Research Group

Science Education Research Group

 

Monash University

Monash Sustainable Development Insitute - Affiliate Member

Centre to Impact AMR - Education, Engagement & Communities  - Working party member

Little Food Festival - STEM Food Sustainability coordinator

Monash teaching commitment

EDF5175 & EDF5176 Psychology education in secondary schools A & B

EDF5855 The teaching profession and the professional teacher

EDF1062 Approaches to teaching and learning

EDF5137 & EDF5138 General science education in secondary schools A & B

EDF4252 Integrated approaches to science learning and teaching

EDF4069 Transition to the profession

EDF3075 Developing transdisciplinary pedagogies

EDF4006 Transition and professional engagement

EDF5127 & EDF5128 Chemistry education in secondary schools A & B

EDF5183 & EDF5184 General Method and Teaching Specialisms units A & B

EDF5941, EDF5942, EDF5943 & EDF5944 Professional Experience Units

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
  • SDG 13 - Climate Action

External positions

Secretary, Psychology Education Interest Group, Australian Psychological Society

2021 → …

Invited Panel Member, Diploma Program (DP) Psychology External Review & Expert Development, International Baccalaureate Organization

2020

Forum Member, Division of Psychological Research, Education & Training (DPRET)

2020 → …

Research area keywords

  • Maths and Science education
  • Psychology Education
  • Teacher Knowledge
  • Psychological Literacy
  • Co-teaching
  • Curriculum making
  • Science Education
  • Initial Teacher Education
  • Professional Experience
  • Climate Change Education
  • Transforming teaching and learning
  • Enhancing health and wellbeing
  • Teacher Education

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or