Maryam Sandhu

Maryam Sandhu is a Research Fellow in the School of Education at Queensland University of Technology, specializing in science education with a focus on emotional aspects of learning. Her research examines how emotions like frustration impact student engagement and learning outcomes in science classrooms, and she has developed practical interventions using mindfulness techniques.

Her research interests center on emotional regulation in science education, mindfulness practices (particularly deep breathing techniques), and sustainable development education. Dr. Sandhu's work bridges educational psychology and science pedagogy, investigating how emotional responses affect learning processes and how teachers can create supportive classroom environments.

Dr. Sandhu's publication record shows consistent output from 2013-2020, with a concentration of work between 2013-2018. Her research demonstrates a clear trajectory from exploring emotional climates in science education to developing and testing specific interventions. She primarily publishes in high-impact science education journals including Journal of Research in Science Teaching, International Journal of Science Education, and Science Education.

Her scientific contributions include:

• Documenting the temporal dynamics of frustration in science learning
• Developing and testing breathing interventions for emotional regulation
• Investigating sustainable development education in Queensland curricula
• Exploring emotional climates in preservice science teacher education

Dr. Sandhu works collaboratively with a core group of researchers including Donna King, Stephen Ritchie, and Senka Henderson, while also engaging with international colleagues through publications with Routledge and Brill. Her research has practical implications for science teachers seeking to address the emotional dimensions of learning while maintaining rigorous academic standards.

Her laboratory work focuses on classroom-based interventions rather than traditional laboratory research, conducting studies directly in middle and high school science classrooms across Queensland. This approach ensures her findings have immediate applicability to real-world educational settings.