Our people
Meet the team
Victoria Millar (She/Her)
Victoria is an Associate Professor in Science Education who has a long interest in the influences on science engagement. Science outreach has a strong connection with trying to increase science engagement and Victoria’s research focusses on understanding how science outreach can best be practiced to create positive long-term influence.
victoria.millar@unimelb.edu.auMaurizio Toscano
Dr Maurizio Toscano is Senior Lecturer in Science Education. His doctoral and early career research was in Astrophysics. Astronomy and physics formed the basis of his science communication, outreach, and education work for university and school students, and the public. This included science outreach projects like the Hubble Space Telescope Science Institute’s Amazing Space program for primary school students, and the Telescopes in Schools program for secondary school students. More recently, Maurizio’s research interests include interdisciplinary perspectives on science education, the role of aesthetics in science education, and the philosophy of education. His research on the practice and influence of science outreach includes collaborations with leading Australian Research Council Centres of Excellence and other local and international research partnerships.
m.toscano@unimelb.edu.auJan van Driel
Jan van Driel is a Professor of Science Education and leader of the Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Group in the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne. His research interests include science teacher knowledge, teacher education and professional learning, science and gender, and interdisciplinary science and STEM education.
j.vandriel@unimelb.edu.auCristina Guarrella (She/Her)
Dr Cristina Guarrella is a Senior Research Fellow in early childhood and primary science education at The University of Melbourne. Her research interest in Science Outreach focuses on understanding the role of families and science capital in Science Outreach programmes. Dr Guarrella has recently led an in-depth systematic review examining the characteristics of science outreach programmes and assessing the quality of research in this field. Currently, she is investigating the nature of science outreach programmes in national parks. Through her work, Dr Guarrella aims to contribute to the understanding of how young children develop science identity.
cristina.guarrella@unimelb.edu.auChloë Nelson (She/Her)
Dr Chloë Nelson is an early career researcher in the Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Group in the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne. Her research interests include science teacher education and professional learning, science outreach, and informal science education settings.
chloe.nelson@unimelb.edu.au
Georgie Aiuto (They/Them)
Georgie is a graduate researcher whose main area of focus is how scientists can support teachers through science outreach, at the Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Group in the Faculty of Education within the University of Melbourne. With their background in physics, and experience working in science outreach, Georgie is keen to find new ways to connect the world of science and education through their research.
g.aiuto@unimelb.edu.au