Dr Tracy Durksen
Ph.D., Psychological Studies in Education (2015),ÌýDepartment of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta (Canada)
Graduate Certificate, Community-Based Research and Evaluation (2015),ÌýFaculty of Extension, University of Alberta (Canada)
M.A., Learning and Development in Educational Psychology (2010),ÌýDepartment of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies, University of Victoria (Canada)
Teaching Certificate, Professional Development Program in University Teaching (2010),ÌýLearning and Teaching Centre, University of Victoria (Canada)
B.Ed. (Post Baccalaureate), K-12 Teacher Education Degree (2002),ÌýFaculty of Education, Vancouver Island University (Canada)
B.A. (Honours with Distinction), Psychology, (1997),ÌýDepartment of Psychology, University of Victoria (Canada)
Tracy Durksen, B.A. (Hons), B.Ed., M.A., Ph.D.
I am a Scientia Associate Professor of Educational Psychology in the School of Education with research interests in the learning and development of students and teachers. I investigate the broad area of teacher education with the aim to transform attraction and recruitment, selection, development, retention, and promotion of teachers and school leaders by focusing on the importance of interpersonal interactions and psychological characteristics like motivation and adaptability. I am a mixed methods researcher grounded in social cognitive and self-determination theories. My previous experience in community-based research and evaluation through a randomised control trial project with cultural experts in Canada initiated my multi-method, relational, and contextual approach.
In order to influence policies that foster conditions for effective schooling, I prioritise research partnerships and community engagement:
: I have collaborated with theÌýÌý(TSP) project in the UK since 2015. Currently, I am conducting a partnership project with TSP and Professor Klassen (University of Oxford) on teacher readiness.
(2024-2027): I am a Chief Investigator on the team of an ARC Discovery Project (DP240100249) with a focus on attracting, preparing, and sustaining quality teachers in early childhood education.
Ìý(2022-2024): I travelled to rural NSW schools as a lead researcher to support teachers’ professional learning in Aboriginal education and community engagement while working towards whole-school reform.
OECD: Questionnaire Expert Group, 2024ÌýÌý(2020-2024).
Ìý(funded collaborative projects since 2017):Ìý
- NSW Curriculum Reform and Teaching Practices (2023-2026)
- Mathematics Growth Team – Academic Partner project (2023-2024)
- Human Resources – Teacher Success Profile partnership project (2017-2022)
- Ambassador Schools Research Centre (2021/2022)
Ìý
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
External
2024-2027 – : Attracting, preparing, retaining, and sustaining quality early childhood teachers in Australia. This project team, led by Prof Marianne Fenech, is funded by ARC Discovery Project (DP2401000249) for $664k. Role: Chief Investigator; quantitative (longitudinal survey) and tool development.
2023-2025 – Evaluation of changes to teaching practice for NSW curriculum reform. This project team, led by A/Prof Dennis Alonzo, received $1.1m from the NSW Department of Education to evaluate the implementation of the new English and Mathematics syllabuses. Role: Co-investigator; lead researcher for quantitative (survey) and qualitative components.
2023-2024 – Mathematics Growth Team: Academic Partner project. Led by Prof Kim Beswick, this project team secured over $700k from the NSW Department of Education to establish a research evidence base that demonstrates the mechanisms and impact of expert teachers acting as mathematical instructional leaders. Role: Co-investigator; a lead researcher for quantitative (survey) and qualitative (classroom observation) components.
2022 – Ambassador Schools Research Centre project. Led by Prof Kim Beswick, this project team secured $1.8m from the NSW Department of Education to gather evidence of school success using a strengths-based and mixed method approach. Role: Co-investigator; a lead researcher for quantitative (survey) and qualitative (classroom observation) components.
Since 2022 – . Led by Prof Kevin Lowe, this longitudinal project has secured over $3m in research funding. Role: Lead researcher for a qualitative research/practice study of teachers at rural schools.
2017-2022 – Teacher Success Profile project. Sole investigator for the funded ($149k) research and evaluation of the NSW Department of Education teacher recruitment and selection practices.
2019 –ÌýHigh-impact leaders in regional, rural, and remote education.ÌýLed by Prof Scott Eacott, this case study project included co-investigators from 3 Australian universities. Funded by the Australian Department of Education ($88k).
2017 –ÌýThe development of a teacher suitability framework.ÌýSole investigator who conduced interviews with 17 initial teacher education providers in NSW. Funded by theÌýNew South Wales Council of Deans of Education ($5,000).
Internal
Chief Investigator (2025). Research Infrastructure Scheme. Faculty of Arts, Design, and Architecture, 91É«ÇéƬ. Amount: $56k
Chief Investigator (2021). School of Education Rapid-Fire Research Grant Scheme. Scenario-based learning for preservice teachers. Co-investigators: A/Prof Tony Loughland and Dr Hoa Nguyen. Amount: AUD: $7,689
Chief Investigator (2016-2019). PL-TIME: Professional learning and teachers’ interpersonal skills, motivation, and engagement. Vice Chancellor Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Funding (91É«ÇéƬ). Amount: AUD $30,000
Chief Investigator (2018). Developing teachers' ability to optimise female students' STEM-related academic achievement and career aspirations: A museum-based study of professional learning. Faculty Collaborative Research Grant (91É«ÇéƬ Sydney). Co-investigator: Scientia Professor Andrew Martin (School of Education, 91É«ÇéƬ). Collaborator: Derek Williamson (Museum of Human Disease, Faculty of Medicine, 91É«ÇéƬ). Amount: AUD $14,693ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Chief /Co-Investigator (2017-2019). School of Education Grants.ÌýAmount: AUD $22,500 ÌýÌýÌýÌý
Doctoral funding
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Doctoral Fellowship (2013-2015). Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Amount: CAD $40,000
President’s Doctoral Prize of Distinction (2013-2014). Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Alberta (Canada). Amount: CAD $15,429 Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Graduate/travel awards (2012-2015). Amount: CADÌý$11,500Ìý
Dean's Award for Excellence in HDR Supervision (2023). Faculty of Arts, Design, and Architecture, 91É«ÇéƬ.
Learning and Teaching Award (2020). Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dean’s Learning and Teaching Award for Excellence for Design and Development (Master of Teaching Primary Program, 91É«ÇéƬ). Amount: AUD $500
Shortlisted Nominee for Research Award (2019). Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dean’s Research Award for Achievements by an Early Career Researcher (91É«ÇéƬ).
AERA 2017 Learning Environments SIG/Springer Award for best journal article.ÌýAndre, L., Durksen, T. L., & Volman, M. (2017). Museums as avenues of learning for children: A decade of research. Learning Environments Research, 20, 47-76.
My Research Supervision
I am not available to supervise new research students at this time.Ìý
My Teaching
2023: EDST 5314 Building Resilience in the WorkplaceÌý(Course Convenor)
2022: EDST 5314 Building Resilience in the WorkplaceÌý(Course Convenor)
2021
- Master of Teaching: Primary ProgramÌýDirector
- EDST 5151ÌýChild Development: Psychological and Social Perspectives (Course Convenor)
- EDST 5320 Individual Differences and Education (Course Convenor)
- EDST 1101 Educational PsychologyÌý(Course Convenor)
Ìý
2020
- Master of Teaching: Primary ProgramÌýDirector
- EDST 5151ÌýChild Development: Psychological and Social Perspectives (Course Convenor)
- EDST 5320 Individual Differences and Education (Course Convenor)
- EDST 2044 Motivation in Learning and Teaching (Course Convenor)
Ìý
2019
- Master of Teaching: Primary ProgramÌýDirector
- EDST 5151ÌýChild Development: Psychological and Social Perspectives (Course Convenor)
- EDST 5320 Individual Differences and Education (Course Convenor)
- EDST 2044 Motivation in Learning and Teaching (Course Convenor)
Ìý
2018
- Master of Teaching: Primary ProgramÌýDeputy Director
- EDST 5151 Child Development: Psychological and Social Perspectives (Course Convenor)
Ìý
2017
- EDST 5457 Literature Review (Academic Course Supervisor)
- EDST 5320 Individual Differences and Education (Course Convenor)
Ìý
University teaching in Canada (2008/2009 and 2012/2013)