Robyn Gillies

Professor Robyn Gillies is a prominent academic in education at the University of Queensland, leading research in learning sciences, cooperative learning, and STEM pedagogy. She holds a Professorship in the School of Education, Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Her work focuses on classroom discourses, inquiry-based teaching, and fostering student engagement through collaborative methods. Gillies has authored over 279 publications, emphasizing strategies to improve educational outcomes globally, particularly in diverse contexts like Ethiopia and Iran. She has secured grants from ARC, OLT, and international bodies, contributing to projects like the Science of Learning Research Centre (SLRC).

Her research spans teacher-student interactions, student diversity, and career decision-making challenges for international medical students. Notable contributions include the SOLIO taxonomy for assessing learning and interest, and frameworks for tracing interest development. Gillies advises numerous PhD candidates on topics ranging from dialogic pedagogy to resilience in education. She collaborates internationally, integrating neuroscience insights to enhance learning environments. Her work bridges theory and practice, influencing policies on classroom instruction and social-emotional learning.