Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Rebecca Cooper is Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) at Monash University. She brings extensive expertise in initial teacher education, teacher professional learning, and science education, underpinned by her experience as a secondary school teacher of science, physics, and mathematics. She has played a significant role in shaping ITE programs nationally through her work as a highly trained and respected Panellist and Panel Chair for the Accreditation of Teacher Education courses in Australia, applying the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) program and graduate standards. Rebecca sits on the accreditation committee of the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). Internationally, she is recognised for expertise in ITE, delivering invited keynotes and providing advice. Her research covers teacher knowledge development (from Pre-service to Highly Accomplished teachers), pedagogical content knowledge, and the ongoing professional learning teachers require at different career stages, offering a unique contribution to understanding teacher thinking and development across the profession.
Research interests
- Pedagogy in Science Teacher Education
- Pedagogical Content Knowledge
- Development of Teacher Knowledge
- Professional learning
- Science Education
- Initial Teacher Education
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):
Research area keywords
- Maths and Science education
- Teacher Knowledge
- Science Education
- Teacher Education
- Pedagogical Content Knowledge
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
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The factors that lead to the success of flipped classrooms
Carroll, K. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Flecknoe, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Cooper, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Filby, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Randle-Barrett, E. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Bennett, N. (Chief Investigator (CI))
Project: Research
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Elevating Teacher Training Programs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Ellis, V. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Scull, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Cooper, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Newton, R. (Supervisor) & Howson, J. (Chief Investigator (CI))
4/12/23 → 3/09/24
Project: Research
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Be You Pre-service Educator Capacity Building and Wellbeing Project
Reupert, A. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Berger, E. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Gavin, E. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Hammer, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Patrick, P. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Cooper, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Marangio, K. (Chief Investigator (CI))
8/05/23 → 30/06/23
Project: Research
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Renewal of Science Continuum Archive
Corrigan, D. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Berry, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Smith, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Cooper, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Carpendale, J. (Chief Investigator (CI))
22/06/20 → 18/12/20
Project: Research
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Engaging new generations of learners - working towards confident delivery of flexible pedagogies and active learning strategies
Flecknoe, S. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Carroll, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Lazendic-Galloway, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Cooper, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Hood, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Macfarlan, B. (Chief Investigator (CI)), McLean, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Thompson, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Wagstaff, P. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Wordley, S. (Chief Investigator (CI))
Monash University – Internal University Contribution
1/06/18 → 31/05/19
Project: Research
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Addressing teacher shortages in an international context: implications for the quality and status of teacher education
Symeonidis, V., Guberman, A. & Cooper, R., 2025, In: European Journal of Teacher Education. 48, 1, p. 1-8 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › Other › peer-review
Open Access -
Bubbles, Seekers, and Servers: A Metaphor Analysis of Jewish Identity Construction
Bankier-Karp, A. L., Southcott, J. & Cooper, R., Mar 2025, In: Contemporary Jewry. 45, 1, 22 p., 9.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Career transitions in teacher education: ‘stories’ from three teacher educators
Fitzgerald, A., Cooper, R., Carpendale, J. & Mansfield, J., 2025, In: The Australian Educational Researcher. 52, 2, p. 1407-1429 23 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus) -
Creating effective co-design processes for supporting pre-service teachers on school placement as part of a university-school partnership
Marangio, K., Cooper, R., Gleeson, J., Jenkins, L. & Round, P., 2025, In: International Journal of Educational Research. 133, 11 p., 102734.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Elements of a university-school partnership that support pre-service teacher learning during placement experiences
Jenkins, L., Cooper, R., Marangio, K., Gleeson, J. & Round, P., 10 Sept 2025. 1 p.Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review
Prizes
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APJTE Outstanding Reviewer of the Year 2023
Cooper, R. (Recipient), 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Best paper award 2nd International STEM in Education Conference
Cooper, R. (Recipient), 2012
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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European Science Education Research Association Early Career Researcher Travel Award
Cooper, R. (Recipient), 2015
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Jeff Northfield Memorial Award for Excellence in Teacher Research
Cooper, R. (Recipient), 2008
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Australasian Science Education Research Association Conference 2024
Cirkony, C. (Organiser), Mansfield, J. (Speaker), Preston, C. (Speaker), Cooper, R. (Speaker) & Kim, M. (Speaker)
2 Jul 2024 → 5 Jul 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
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The Online conference of the Centre for Global Teacher Education
Cooper, R. (Invited speaker)
4 May 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
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VI International Symposium of Science Education
Cooper, R. (Invited speaker)
16 Jun 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
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American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting 2022
Cooper, R. (Speaker), Carpendale, J. (Speaker) & Berry, A. (Speaker)
Apr 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
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Monash Childcare Centres Annual Staff Conference
Cooper, R. (Keynote/plenary speaker)
21 Feb 2020Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to workshop, seminar, course
Press/Media
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Let's Talk Teaching - Season 3
15/04/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Blogs, Podcasts and Social Media › Podcasts
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Let's Talk Teaching - Season 2
18/06/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Blogs, Podcasts and Social Media › Podcasts
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Let's Talk Teaching
11/07/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Blogs, Podcasts and Social Media › Podcasts
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Let's Talk Teaching - Season 1
11/07/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Blogs, Podcasts and Social Media › Podcasts
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The role of research in the professional development of graduate teachers
Cutler, B., Cooper, R. & Gindidis, M.
28/06/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature