Celebrating Research Excellence with McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellows Dr. Sam Stiegler and Dr. Emma Carter
The Faculty of Education proudly celebrates the outstanding achievements of two of our McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellows, Dr. Sam Stiegler and Dr. Emma Carter. Both scholars exemplify the potential of early-career researchers and the transformative impact of the McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellowships program on academic and research excellence.
Established in 2010, the McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellowships scheme fosters research excellence by supporting early-career scholars with dedicated research time, mentorship, and collaboration. It attracts top-tier researchers globally, enabling them to lead interdisciplinary projects and contribute to the University’s research priorities, further enhancing the Faculty's global leadership in education.
Dr. Sam Stiegler - Redefining LGBTQ Education
Dr. Sam Stiegler, a McKenzie Fellow within the Social Transformation and Education Group, is a trailblazer in the fields of queer and trans studies in education, sexuality studies, and critical qualitative research methodologies. His recently published book, Going Along with Trans, Queer, and Non-Binary Youth, offers a deeply intimate portrayal of how young people navigate their daily lives, bringing fresh methodological insights into the research process. By inviting readers into these narratives, Dr. Stiegler encourages reflection on how we engage with LGBTQ youth, both academically and personally.
Building on his previous work, Dr. Stiegler’s McKenzie project expands its focus to the ways queer adults learn from and teach each other. This exploration is vital in understanding how queer community knowledge is cultivated and preserved, particularly in the face of societal and educational challenges.
As Dr. Stiegler notes, “The McKenzie has afforded me the time and mental space to take my research to the next level.”
Dr. Stiegler envisions his research contributing to more inclusive and accessible educational environments for LGBTQ individuals of all ages. At its core, his work seeks to inspire others to ask bold, unorthodox questions, challenging the established norms of academic inquiry. "Good research often arises from asking hard questions—questions we might not even know are askable," he emphasises.
Dr. Emma Carter - Transforming Secondary Education in Asia Pacific
Dr. Emma Carter, based at the Assessment and Evaluation Research Centre (AERC), is passionate about improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged youth, particularly in developing countries. Her McKenzie Fellowship focuses on understanding how teaching quality and learning environments in secondary education influence cognitive and affective student outcomes in developing regions across Asia Pacific.
Dr. Carter’s background in education and psychology, coupled with her experience working on international education projects, has equipped her to tackle the formidable challenges faced by students and teachers in low-income countries. Her research builds on her previous roles at the University of Cambridge and the World Bank, where she contributed to projects aimed at enhancing teaching quality in developing contexts, including the ‘Leaders in Teaching’ initiative in Rwanda.
Reflecting on her fellowship, Dr. Carter expressed, “I’ve always wanted to return to the University of Melbourne, and the McKenzie Fellowship has given me the autonomy to lead my own research while benefiting from the mentorship of world-class academics.” Through her work, she aims to amplify the voices of local teachers in disadvantaged regions, contributing valuable insights to policy discussions on how to improve secondary education in the Asia Pacific.
Dr. Carter’s ultimate vision is to foster innovative teaching approaches that promote critical thinking, creativity, and socio-emotional development—skills crucial for students’ success in the 21st century. Her research promises to drive social and economic progress by empowering students to become active participants and change agents within their communities.
Dr. Stiegler and Dr. Carter’s work exemplifies the Faculty of Education’s commitment to tackling some of the most pressing issues in education today. From advancing LGBTQ inclusion in educational spaces to improving teaching quality in disadvantaged contexts, the scope of research within our Faculty is vast and impactful.
The McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellowship program allows early-career researchers like Dr. Stiegler and Dr. Carter, to continue to make meaningful contributions in shaping the future of education. We are excited to continue fostering such transformative research that will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on education, both locally and globally.