Penelope (Pep) Baker

Professor Penelope (Pep) Baker is a faculty member in the School of Education at the University of New England (UNE), Australia, within the Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education. She is a leading scholar in mathematics education, with extensive experience in international development, particularly in the Pacific region, including long-term projects in Nauru and Tuvalu.

Education:

• Dip Teach (CCES)
• BEd (NE)
• PhD (NE)
• Grad Cert Higher Ed. (NE)

Her research interests focus on enhancing quality mathematics and numeracy education, culturally responsive pedagogies, meaningful assessment, international partnerships, and building teacher capacity in rural, remote, and developing contexts. She has led major initiatives such as the Nauru Teacher Education Project and various New Colombo Plan activities, contributing significantly to educational equity and development.

Her recent publications span topics including worked-example instruction, the SOLO model, inclusive education, and Indigenous talent development, reflecting a broad and impactful research agenda in mathematics education and international teacher development.

Scientific Awards and Recognitions:

• Vice Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award (2009)
• Australian Rural Education Award (2016)
• Australian College of Education HTB Harris Award (2017)
• UNE Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2017)
• Nauru Teacher Education Team shortlisted for the Wenhui Award (2019)
• UNE Sports Award: Spirit of Sport (2023)

She has secured substantial grant funding from DFAT, NZ Aid, The Ian Potter Foundation, and other sources. She has advised on numerous consultancies across Australia and the Pacific and is actively involved in professional organizations such as the Pacific Circle Consortium and the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia.

Professor Baker leads and participates in several research teams and projects focused on teacher education, educational inclusion, and community wellbeing, including the Driving Social Inclusion through Sport and Physical Activity team and the Nauru Inclusive Education Project.