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Anila AsgharAssociate Professor |
Science education; integrated science, technology, engineering and mathematics (iSTEM) education; evolution education; science education reform in diverse contexts; problem-based learning; interactions among religion, science, culture, and education; environmental education; nature of science; conceptual understanding; cognitive and emotional development; socioconstructivist and sociocultural approaches to learning science; teacher education; curriculum development and assessment; educational leadership; research methods; peace studies; Islamic education; doctoral education reform. Research project: |
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Hannah ChestnuttProgram Director, Teacher Education Programs Faculty Lecturer |
Research Interests: Social network analysis; educator collaboration and accompaniment; knowledge co-production; mathematics education; educational equity. Research projects: Accompaniment: Practice & Research - Leadership Committe for English Education in Quebec (LCEEQ) |
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Allison GonsalvesAssistant Professor |
Science education, gender studies, sociocultural issues in science education, teacher education, identity studies, informal education. Research projects: Talking About Gender and Physics: Supporting Female Students’ Identity Trajectories into Physics |
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Limin JaoAssociate Professor |
Cross-curricular / interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning; Mathematics education; Pedagogy; Reform-based teaching approaches (e.g., student-centred, inquiry-based, project-based teaching and learning); STE(A)M education; Student engagement; Teacher education and professional development (pre-service and in-service) |
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Marta KobielaAssociate Professor |
Mathematics learning and teaching, geometry and spatial mathematics, co-development of disciplinary knowledge and practice in classrooms, integration of STEM disciplines to support student learning. Research projects: Examining Facilitation Practices and Professional Vision of Coaches of Prospective Teachers |
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Elizabeth PatitsasAssistant Professor |
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Annie SavardAssociate Professor |
Annie Savard is an Associate Professor in the Department of Integrated Education Studies in the Faculty of Education at McGill University. She taught in elementary school for fifteen years and was a consultant for the Quebec Ministry of Education. Since 2010, she is also an international consultant in Mathematics Education for RTI, UNESCO, UNICEF, USAID, and the World Bank. She holds a master's degree in Science Education and a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education. She is a fellow of the CIRANO-Interuniversity Center for Research in Analysis of Organizations. In 2019, she received the title Professor Honoris Causa from the Universitatea Ovidius din Constanta, Romania.
Her research interests concern the teaching and learning of mathematics in elementary and secondary school from an ethnomathematical point of view and in connection with the development of citizenship competencies, such as decision-making and critical thinking. She is particularly interested by the conceptual field of probability and statistics, as well as supporting students using representations in problem solving. She is also interested in the use of robotics and technology in classrooms. She studies the professional development of teachers in initial training and through professional learning communities.
She is a pioneer in conceptualizing the field of Financial Education in elementary and secondary schools. She started her research program on Financial Numeracy in 2004 and since then, have published about it 6 research articles, 6 book chapters, one monography, 3 research reports and delivered 40 conference presentations, 2 referred workshops, and 2 keynotes at international conferences. |
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Emily SprowlsFaculty Lecturer |
Research interests: Environmental and sustainability education, environmental justice, science teacher education, citizen science, youth-led inquiry, action-oriented research
Research project: Transgressive Learning as Education for Environmental Justice: Collaborative Research with Elementary and University Students
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Emily MacLeodPostdoctoral Scholar emily.macleod2 [at] mcgill.ca (Email) |
Research interests: Identity studies, Young people's career trajectories, Sociocultural issues in science education, Science teacher recruitment, and Science teacher motivations.
Emily is a former teacher and her research interests include teacher recruitment, young people's identities and career trajectories, and science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education. Her work at McGill explores the impact of volunteering with youth on STEM majors' career choices, particularly in teaching. Emily is also an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at University College London in the UK where she completed her PhD.
Research projects: Exploring the science identities and science capital of Let’s Talk Science outreach volunteers in the context of science teacher shortages & Science Education Research Group |
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Vandana ChandrasekharSupervisor: Marta Kobiela vandana.chandrasekhar [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Email) |
I am a Ph.D. student and a research assistant in the field of math education at McGill University. My doctoral research investigates how university methods courses support pre-service teachers to appropriate teaching practices for student-centered learning. Before pursuing my Ph.D., I worked as a math teacher (elementary and secondary) in India and as a math course lecturer in the USA. During my teaching years, I would often question and reflect on my teaching practice in supporting students to construct mathematical knowledge. After taking an online course from Stanford University offered by Dr. Jo Boaler on Mathematical Mindsets, I was determined to seek ways to change my practice to support student-centered learning which made me pursue my Ph.D. On a different note, I love dancing and have not missed a chance to dance. To feed my love for dancing, I have just started learning an Indian classical dance 😊. |
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Saba DinSupervisor: Marta Kobiela saba.din [at] mail.mcgill.ca (subject: Message%20from%20SMERG%20website) (Email) |
I love math, and I'm passionate about improving math education! My doctoral research examines ways to support novice math teacher-educators in developing pedagogical practices for teaching future elementary math teachers. Outside of my PhD studies, I work as a Mathematics Educational Consultant in Quebec, advocating for and collaborating with dedicated educators to provide students with positive, rich learning experiences that deepen understanding and foster the love of math. I've had various roles throughout my journey, including teacher, graduate student, research assistant, and university course instructor. I'm excited to continue my learning, as there's always much to learn, reflect upon, grow from, and try! LinkedIn | Twitter |
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Sahar FazeliSupervisor: Anila Asghar sahar.fazeli [at] mail.mcgill.ca (subject: Message%20from%20SMERG%20website) (Email) |
I am a doctoral student in the department of Integrated Studies in Education at McGill University. I am also vice-president and co-founder of a non-profit organization for children with cancer registered in Canada, named “Espoir Pour Enfants Atteints de cancer”. My doctoral research looks at applying arts-based approaches such as writing stories from children's perspective to support children with chronic illnesses (such as cancer) to help them have a better quality of life, and to support them in enhancing their well-being and academic performance. |
Azadeh JavaherpourSupervisor: Marta Kobiela & Kevin McDough |
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Ravinder KumarSupervisor: Lisa Starr |
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Stéphanie LafortuneSupervisor: Annie Savard |
I am a Ph.D. candidate, course lecturer, and research assistant in science and mathematics education. My doctoral research focuses on the use of artificial intelligence (machine learning) to support evaluation practices in these subject areas. I also hold a master's degree from UQAM during which I investigated the role of inhibition in science learning.
I currently work as a STEM & ICT educational consultant at the English Montreal School Board. Prior to this, I worked for 12 years as an elementary teacher, including 7 years as an elementary science specialist. In this role, I have employed innovative, inquiry-based, interdisciplinary and student-centered teaching approaches, experiences that I can draw upon when supporting teachers. I am really interested by the prospect of contributing to Quebec’s academic and educational communities as a researcher and educator. |
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Maria-Josée Bran LopezSupervisor: Limin Jao maria-josee.branlopez [at] mail.mcgill.ca (subject: Message%20from%20SMERG%20website) (Email) |
I'm a PhD student in Math Education since 2017. |
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Neil MacintoshSupervisor: Anila Asghar neil.macintosh [at] mail.mcgill.ca (subject: Message%20from%20SMERG%20website) (Email) |
I teach Grade 10/11 students at Pontiac High School in Shawville 3.5 hours from Montreal. I have taught the maths, the sciences, English, MRE, & History for 28 years in Canada at the secondary and college levels, in Malawi with CTF- PO, and in Swaziland with WUSC. The time flies. My wife and I have raised a family of 3 - all adults now. My research interests are what will help the average (me) science teacher better reach the students and motivate them to do their best, whether or not they will follow the science pathway at the college level. It starts with whatever "motivation" is, so there is a fair bit of psychology in the mix. I am excited to be back in school, again. |
Dominic ManuelSupervisors: Annie Savard & David A. Reid dominic.manuel [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Message%20from%20SMERG%20website) (Email) |
I am a Ph.D. candidate, course lecturer, and research assistant in mathematics education. My current research focuses on studying teaching practices and the co-construction of knowledge between teachers and students with inquiry-based learning instruction (including problem solving) in mathematics. My other areas or interest includes: meeting the learning needs of mathematically gifted and talented students; developing mathematical creativity in students; implementing challenging rich tasks in mathematics classrooms; and using information and communication technologies (ICT) in classrooms. Since the beginning of my masters in 2007, I participated in multiple research projects, wrote and co-wrote articles, and presented at local, provincial, national, and international conferences in all my areas of interest and other areas. I also worked with teachers in local schools, supporting them with meeting the learning needs of students who needed extra challenges in mathematics. |
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Ebenezer MbachuSupervisors: Marta Kobiela & Allison Gonsalves |
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Scosha MerovitzSupervisor: Marta Kobiela scosha.merovitz [at] mail.mcgill.ca (subject: Message%20from%20SMERG%20website) (Email) |
After 15 years of teaching mathematics at Bishop's University, I decided to pursue a PhD in Mathematics Education. Now, in addition to teaching in the Mathematics Department, I also teach math methods courses to pre-service teachers. My research interests interests include communities of practice and using video to improve practice. I believe mathematics for children should be brought off the page (or the screen) and into our 3-dimensional, life-sized world. In addition to being passionate about all things mathematical, I love yoga, cooking and eating and, especially, sharing food with family and friends. |
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Ali Mahmoodi MotlaghSupervisor: Anila Asghar |
I started my career in 2005 as a mathematics teacher in Iran. Seven years later, I began my journey and came to Canada. I got my master’s degree in Didactics of Mathematics from Laval University. This was quite a challenging period of my life as I had to propel my research in a language that I had just started to learn seriously. It was a fantastic experience, thanks to my supervisor and my friends. The final product of my M.A. was a practical framework to evaluate and compare two textual resources based on their potential to improve students’ geometrical reasoning and proving. I came to Montreal in 2018 and started my Ph.D. in Educational Studies- Math/Science at McGill University. My research interests lie in critical thinking, reasoning and proving and critical pedagogy. Exploring how students could improve their persistence in critical thinking to ultimately become more socially responsible individuals in their real life is what I’m doing my research on. If you are also interested in these research areas, it will be great if this could give us an opportunity to meet with each other, talk about our common areas of research and enrich our subject-knowledge. |
Harini NarayananSupervisor: Anila Asghar |
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Zachary ParkerSupervisors: Marta Kobiela & Bronwen Low |
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Rebecca PearceSupervisors: Limin Jao & Dawn Wiseman |
Rebecca holds a B.Ed. and an M.Sc. in Biology and is a 5th-year PhD candidate in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education. She has been a secondary science teacher in Montreal for the past 16 years. Since the extremely preterm birth of her daughter twelve years ago, Rebecca has been involved in research and writing that has tried to shift the focus of preterm birth outcome research from what clinicians view as important to a more comprehensive family perspective. Her doctoral work seeks to examine the mathematics identities that are formed by and about children born preterm to provide insight into the mathematical learning and doing of these children. Rebecca also has experience as a research assistant and course lecturer, and has recently undertaken research examining science teaching practices during the Covid-19 pandemic and the use of virtual field trips as a pedagogical tool. |
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Emily SprowlsSupervisors: Allison Gonsalves & Blane Harvey
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PhD candidate I have been engaged with formal and informal environmental science education for 20 years, and my research explores education for environmental justice through collaborative learning among students, teachers and scientists. After my master’s work on youth-driven marine science education in Colombia, I spent 15 years learning from my wonderful high school science students in Indiana and Connecticut, USA. I have enjoyed facilitating Critical Friends Groups of teachers from Michigan to Mexico with the National School Reform Faculty, and am now an instructor of science teaching methods. I also work with youth in after-school STEM clubs and I am interested in nonformal science learning, including through citizen science. |
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Cinzia Di PlacidoSupervisor: Limin Jao cinzia.diplacido [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Email) |
I am a PhD student in Educational Studies in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education at McGill University. My academic journey began in the field of science where I completed a Bachelor of Science in Anatomy and Cell Biology at McGill. As I was thinking about my future, I wanted a career where I could share my passion of science with others. I decided to pursue a teacher certification via the Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning, Science and Technology program at McGill. During this degree, I taught in high schools and learned great amounts from my students. I also gained experience in research from working with my current supervisor Dr. Limin Jao. After this degree, I wanted to delve deeper into research and decided to pursue a Master of Arts in Education and Society where my research focused on the perspectives of students with learning disabilities on their science learning. Having lingering questions, I wanted to further explore the connection between disabilities studies and science education during doctoral studies. I’ve had wonderful experiences at McGill and am currently the EGSS co-president for the 2022-2023 academic year. I am eager to connect and learn from others during my next few years at McGill! |
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Martin Ako (He/Him)Supervisor: Limin Jao martin.ako [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Email) |
Martin holds B.Ed. and MPhil in Elementary Education from the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana and is currently pursuing PhD in Educational Studies (Science & Mathematics Education) at the Department of Integrated Studies in Education (DISE), McGill University. His research focuses on Teacher Pedagogical Practices, Differentiated Instruction, Collaborative Professional Development, Teacher Curriculum Knowledge, Gender, and STEM Education. His PhD research explores the Potential of Supporting Teachers to Develop Gender-inclusive Instructional Strategies to Enhance Girls' Participation in STEM Education. Martin has been involved in several research projects: Pedagogical Undergraduate Research Experiences, Pre-service Teachers’ Experiences in Teacher Education Program, Teacher Collaboration, and Pre-service Mathematics Teachers’ Instructional Moves in Promoting Student Agency. In his leisure time, Martin likes listening to music, interacting with family and friends, working in the garden, or playing soccer. |
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Midhat KiyaniSupervisor: Limin Jao midhat.kiyani [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Email) |
I am an international student currently enrolled in PhD Educational Studies (Science and Mathematics Concentration) at Department of Integrated Studies in Education (DISE). Currently, I am working as research assistant with Dr. Marta Kobeila and my supervisor Dr. Limin Jao on SSHRC-funded projects. My research interests revolve around project-based learning, STEM/STEAM education and sustainability education. Owing to my research interests, I am also working as Vice President Events in McGill SDG Students Hub (affiliated with UN SDG Students Program). For doctoral research, I aim to explore design of an informal learning environment to promote the awareness of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainability development among the students. Back in 2020, I completed my Masters in Innovative Technologies in Learning (ITL) from Pakistan where I also taught a graduate-level course while working as academic coordinator in a school. As a researcher, my motto and advice for all doctoral students and candidates is to stay H.A.P.P.Y (Hardworking, Authentic, Persistent, Passionate, and Youthful). |
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Sun Jung ChoiSupervisor: Limin Jao sun.j.choi [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Email) |
Sun is a PhD student in Educational Studies with a concentration on Mathematics & Science Education. She has a dream that one day all students say, “I love learning!” Sun firmly believes in the crucial role of teachers in fostering students to enjoy learning. She studied students’ motivation in learning and teachers’ supportive strategies during her master’s program (Learning Sciences in Educational Psychology). Currently, Sun is broadly interested in teacher education, teacher community, and student-centered approaches. Her specific research focus is on how to support pre-service teachers in developing knowledge, beliefs, and conceptualization of integrated STEM education. |
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Shamnaz Arifin MimSupervisor: Allison Gonsalves shamnaz.mim [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Email) |
Program: PhD in Education (Concentration on Science Education) Research Interest(s): Social Justice in Science Education, science teacher identity, gender and science education |
Cheryl CantinSupervisor: Marta Kobiela |
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Katherine DaveySupervisor: Anila Asghar katherine.davey [at] mail.mcgill.ca (subject: Message%20from%20SMERG%20website) (Email) |
After having worked in various roles in education, including teacher and consultant, for 20 years, I decided that I would like to deepen my understanding of teaching and learning about science and have chosen to do so as a part-time Masters student in this program. In addition to pursuing my studies, I am an education consultant for science and technology at the Lester B. Pearson School Board, and have been since 2006. My current areas of interest are the interaction between theory and practice and professional learning for in-service teachers. Twitter |
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Michael DeutschSupervisor: Annie Savard mike.deutsch [at] mail.mcgill.ca (subject: Message%20from%20SMERG%20website) (Email) |
I am an educator and non-profit leader in children's computing education—a second career I began after twenty years as a software and data analyst. My Masters research at McGill explores the use of ambitious teaching methods in the teaching of coding, artificial intelligence, and computational thinking. In my professional life I am the head of teaching and learning at Montreal-based educational charity Digital Moment (formerly Kids Code Jeunesse). |
Tessa Diamond |
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Paige FairlieSupervisor: Limin Jao paige.fairlie [at] mail.mcgill.ca (subject: Message%20from%20SMERG%20website) (Email) |
I am a recent graduate from the B.Ed Secondary Mathematics program at McGill University. This is my first year in the MA Ed and Society (Math Education) program. I am also teaching in the Lester B Pearson School Board teaching high school science and math. I am interested in collaborative learning in the mathematics classroom as well as teacher education, specifically the practices of high quality teaching. I also coach competitive swimming at Pointe Claire Swim Club. |
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Kelly KimSupervisors: Limin Jao & Philip Howard kelly.kim2 [at] mail.mcgill.ca (subject: message%20from%20SMERG%20website) (Email) |
Hi! Glad you found me on this part of the internet. I've taught math and physics for 1.5 years in the U.K. before starting my M.A. in Education and Society. This experience as a teacher and the opportunity I had during my undergrad as an R.A. for Limin motivated me to take this path in academia, and I'm both excited and nervous to find out where this will take me. My main interests at the moment are sociocultural issues in science and math education, equity and diversity, teacher support, and teacher education. Pronouns: she/her |
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Amélie PoulinSupervisor: Annie Savard amelie.poulin [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Email) |
I am a graduate student at McGill University, currently working with Annie Savard as my Master's Thesis supervisor. I also am involved in the Science and Mathematics Education Research Group (SMERG), a member of the Lemonade Stand Lab (research group with core common principles including the idea of seeking to educate, research, collaborate and network through financial literacy education and technology), in addition to doing research at the Centre interuniversitaire de recherche en analyse des organisations (CIRANO). I have been an elementary school teacher for two years, then decided to move to the corporate financing world, as an advisor in a banking institution. My main interests include financial literacy and adult education, the science of teaching and learning, the ways that humans develop their thinking and reasoning, and didactics of mathematics. I would love to contribute to the evolution of financial education with my research findings. |
Adriana Ruffini |
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Kristen StecherAdvisor: Marta Kobiela kristen.stecher [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Email) |
Growing up I always said I would never do a Master’s, so how did I get here? Simply put, I was not ready to leave research, and have always had a passion for education. Fresh off of my HBSc. PHY-MAT I am ready to hit the ground running, and look forward to exploring the world of physics education research. My research focus is classroom-setting physics, where I hope to bring cutting-edge physics and education together as one. I am excited to pursue these ideas here in DISE, where my SMERG journey begins. |
Audrey Taylor |
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Kathleen Walsh |
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Julianna ZeltSupervisor: Allison Gonsalves Julianna.Zelt [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Email) |
Julianna holds a Bachelors of Education in Secondary Science and Technologies. Her research interests surround informal science talk, digital story telling, youth science identity formation and out of school time learning. She is currently working for the Science Outreach Coordinator at McGill as an inquiry-based pedagogical consultant for various outreach groups at McGill. |
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Raine YuanSupervisor: Allison Gonsalves ruigang.yuan [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Email) |
Program: M.A. Educational Leadership Thesis program Research Interests: Elementary Science Education; Inquiry-Based Approach; Informal Science Learning; Early Childhood STEM Education; Youth STEM Outreach; Early Childhood Education; Parents/Family Engagement. |
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Audrey Sika MvibuduluSupervisor: Allison Gonsalves and Jayne Malenfant audrey.mvibudulu [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Email) |
Research interest: STEM Education, Black Joy, and project-based learning Research Project: Fostering Black Canadian-Born High School Students’ Admittance to Post-Secondary STEM Programs: After-School Program Centered on Black Joy to Nurture Interest in STEM |
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Hedi JazaSupervisor: Marta Kobiela mohamed.jaza [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Email) |
Hedi was born and raised in Bizerte, Tunisia, currently a master's student in Education and Society program in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education (DISE) at McGill University. Hedi obtained a Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics degree from the Lebanese American University in Lebanon as a Tomorrow's Leaders Scholar. Hedi is part of the Visualization, Interaction, and Reasoning Lab researching spatial reasoning through the lenses of embodied cognition, and languages under the supervision of Dr. Marta Kobiela. My passion for mathematics education grew from my experiences as a student, volunteer teacher, and tutor. Hedi works as a Graduate Student Assistant at the Teaching and Learning Services, and as a Teaching Assistant at the Faculty of Education and the School of Computer Science at McGill University. Hedi enjoys baking cakes, running or cross-country skiing depending on the season, and taking long walks! Research Interests: Mathematics Education, Spatial Reasoning, Embodied Cognition, Linguistic Resources |
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Constantinos Yanniris |
Supervisors: Anila Asghar & Ralf St.Clair | PhD | 2021 |
Environmental education at work: The case of Kalymnos, Greece |
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Heather McPherson |
Supervisor: Anila Asghar | PhD | 2020 |
Educational curriculum reform: Exploring the liminal experience of in-service science teachers |
| Alexandre Soares Cavalcante | Supervisor: Annie Savard | PhD | 2020 | |
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Ying-Syuan (Elaine) Huang |
Supervisor: Anila Asghar |
PhD | 2019 | Implementing Education for Sustainable Development (ESD): A Policy Ethnography of Taiwan’s Environmental Education Act |
| Eun-Ji Amy Kim | Supervisors: Anila Asghar & Steven Jordan | PhD | 2018 | The relationships at play in integrating Indigenous knowledges-sciences (IK-S) in science curriculum: A case study of Saskatchewan K-12 science curriculum |
| Anjali Abraham |
Supervisor: Allison Gonsalves |
PhD | 2016 | |
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Kathleen Usher |
Supervisors: David Dillon & Gale Seiler |
PhD |
2016 |
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Terry Wan Jung Lin |
Supervisors: Marta Kobiela & Gale Seiler |
PhD |
2016 |
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Lerona Lewis |
Supervisor: Lynn-Butler Kisber |
PhD |
2015 |
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| Elena Arkhipova |
Supervisor: Annie Savard |
PhD | 2014 | |
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Kenneth Elliott |
Supervisors: Anila Asghar & Brian Alters |
PhD |
2012 |
The implementation of applied science and technology in Québec: a descriptive mixed methods study |
| Alain Breuleux |
Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology McGill University |
| Daniela Caprioara | Ovidius Univesitatea din Constanta |
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University of Washington |
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| Jessica Ruglis |
Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology Faculty of Education McGill University |
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Iowa State University |
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Bishop's University |
