Jane Kirkham

Jane Kirkham is an Honorary Research Fellow and PhD candidate in the Graduate School of Education at The University of Western Australia, investigating motivational factors in gendered mathematics course decisions among secondary students. Professionally, she serves as an Educational and Developmental Psychologist for a non-profit organization, delivering psychological services across Western Australian independent schools.

Her academic credentials include:

• Certificate of Gifted Education from University of New South Wales (2007)
• MEd in Educational Psychology from University of KwaZulu-Natal (1996)
• Diploma in Education (Hearing Impaired) from University of Birmingham (1991)
• Advanced Diploma in Special Needs in Education from Open University Milton Keynes (1988)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) from Bangor University (1984)
• BA(Hons) in Psychology from Bangor University (1983)

Her research centers on student motivation, engagement, and wellbeing, utilizing expectancy-value theory to dissect sociocultural and gender influences on mathematics education. This work directly advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 for Quality Education through evidence-based interventions for inclusive learning environments.

Analysis of her publication record reveals a cohesive trajectory examining utility value, cost perceptions, and self-efficacy in STEM course selection, with growing emphasis on intersectional sociocultural factors and wellbeing frameworks. Her methodological approach combines quantitative surveys with qualitative focus groups to capture nuanced student decision-making processes.

Her distinguished recognition includes:

• WAIER-Fogarty Foundation Postgraduate Student Research Prize (2021)
• Western Australian Institute for Educational Research Prize in Education (2020)
• Outstanding Professional Service Award from Professional Teaching Council of Australia (2017)

With 30+ years of international teaching experience across Australia, UK, and South Africa in mainstream, gifted, and inclusive settings, Kirkham bridges academic research with frontline educational practice. Her dual expertise in psychology and pedagogy informs both her scholarly work and direct service delivery as Senior Psychologist for the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia, though no formal graduate student supervision or major grant leadership is documented.