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PhD (Queensland University of Technology)
Dr Subhashni Appanna brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to advancing science education in both secondary and tertiary settings. Commencing the educational journey as a secondary Science and Mathematics teacher, Subhashni currently holds the position of Science Education Lecturer in the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education, and Social Justice, as well as the School of Teacher Education and Leadership. Passionate about unravelling the complexities of science teaching and learning, her research focuses on addressing the pervasive issue of student dissatisfaction in school science. With a keen interest in emotional experiences within the classroom, her PhD research identified student emotions associated with science inquiry activities, shedding light on the nuanced interplay of emotions in the learning process. A recipient of recent SEED grants exploring the intersection of emotion and epistemic cognition in preservice science teachers and attitudes towards AI in teaching and learning, Subhashni actively contributes to vital inquiry for the advancement of science education. Recognised for her excellence, she received nominations for the David Gardiner Teacher of the Year Award and the 2023 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. As a member of the STEM Education Research Group and Teachers and Teaching Research Group within her Faculty, Subhashni collaborates with like-minded scholars to further enrich the academic landscape. Additionally, her role as a reviewer for various Q1 academic journals underscores her commitment to scholarly rigour. Driven by a passion for developing quality preservice science teachers, Subhashni aims to equip them with pedagogical content knowledge and an understanding of student emotional experiences, fostering responsive teaching practices in the dynamic landscape of 21st-century education. Her unwavering dedication is fuelled by the support of her family, students, past students, colleagues, and mentors, collectively inspiring her to navigate the challenges of emotion research and practice in science education.
Additional information
I have tertiary and secondary school teaching experience and taught at a secondary school (years 7-12) in Queensland for 5 years and in universities in Fiji and Queensland for 4.5 years. I have recently contributed to supporting new researchers in the Vacation Research Experience Scheme at STEL and developing preservice teachers. In addition, I have demonstrated leadership in developing and operationalising the Quality Teaching Performance Assessment at QUT. I have also been involved in research within high school classrooms in Queensland under grants such as DECRA and the ARC research schemes. My recent research projects focus on exploring the Interplay of Emotion and Epistemic Cognition when Preservice Science Teachers Search Information Online and on Attitudes and Responses to AI in Teaching and Learning.