Catherine Thiele

Dr Catherine Thiele is a Lecturer in Education at the School of Education and Tertiary Access, University of the Sunshine Coast. She holds a PhD in Education and a Master of Education from the University of Sunshine Coast, and a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education Honors) from Queensland University of Technology. Her research focuses on the datafication of education, affect theory, and the impact of data-driven practices on teacher subjectivity and pedagogy.

• PhD in Education (University of the Sunshine Coast)
• MEd (Queensland University of Technology)
• BEd(ECE Hons) (Queensland University of Technology)
• SFHEA (Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK)

Catherine’s research explores the affective intensities of teacher-data interactions through post-qualitative inquiry, focusing on how data visualizations and standardized assessment tools reshape teacher roles. She investigates the interplay between educational policy, digital platformization, and pedagogical practices, particularly in regional, rural, and remote education contexts. Her recent publications analyze data walls, social media’s impact on teacher agency, and rural teacher recruitment strategies.

Her work includes grants like the Department of Education-funded study on leadership strategies in Far North Queensland (2021-2023). Scientific awards include the 2024 Deans Outstanding Thesis Award and 2019 Australian Rural Education Award. She is a member of the International Teacher Education Research Collective and Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre.

• 2024 Deans Outstanding Thesis Award (UniSC)
• 2024 UniSC Nominee for Ray Debus Award (AARE)
• 2019 Australian Rural Education Award (SPERA)

Catherine teaches courses such as 'Teaching Mathematics in the Early Years' and 'Professional Experience: Orientation to Teaching and Learning'. She leads research initiatives on data visualizations in schools and is part of the International Teacher Education Research Collective, focusing on ethics and policy innovation.