Sharon Cooper

Dr. Sharon Cooper serves as a Lecturer at the University of Newcastle's School of Education and Centre for Teaching and Learning within the College of Human and Social Futures. Appointed as permanent academic staff in 2005 after serving as research assistant (1998) and casual academic (2003), she currently works as a sessional academic with ELFSC focusing on Foundations in Education courses while supporting university-wide teaching improvement initiatives.

Her academic credentials include a PhD, Bachelor of Education (Mathematics) with Honours, and Master of Educational Studies, all completed at the University of Newcastle:

• PhD, University of Newcastle
• Bachelor of Education (Mathematics) (Hons), University of Newcastle
• Master of Educational Studies, University of Newcastle

Cooper's research centers on sociology of education with specific focus on Australian education politics through discourse analysis methodology. She maintains expertise in curriculum design for enabling education, first-year student experience, and reflective teaching practices. Her work critically examines assessment practices, primary/secondary education transitions, and the sociopolitical dimensions of educational policy implementation in Australian contexts.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals sustained emphasis on student transition challenges and enabling pathway development. Her scholarship consistently bridges theoretical discourse analysis with practical curriculum innovations, particularly for foundational higher education courses. Key thematic threads include academic integrity frameworks, online enabling education models, and collaborative approaches to improving first-year experiences across diverse disciplines.

Her teaching excellence has been recognized through multiple awards:

• Lecture of the Year Award (Winner and Top 10 National Nominee), University of Newcastle, 2009
• Lecture of the Year Award (Top 10 nominee), University of Newcastle, 2008
• Vice-Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence (Early Career Academic), University of Newcastle, 2007
• Faculty of Education and Arts Teaching & Learning Award, 2007
• Honours Class I, University of Newcastle, 1996
• Colin C. Doyle Memorial Prize for Mathematics, University of Newcastle, 1996

Cooper has secured four competitive internal grants totaling $20,029 for research on Australian education reform and mathematics teaching strategies. While specific doctoral advisees aren't documented, her leadership as Director of Student Experience (until 2011) and course coordination roles demonstrate extensive mentoring of undergraduate students. Current grant activities focus on enabling program development and student transition partnerships.

She actively contributes to the Centre for Teaching and Learning's mission through academic developer partnerships and enabling education initiatives like NUPrep and Open Foundation programs. Her collaborative work with Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre emphasizes equitable access to higher education through innovative curriculum design for underrepresented student cohorts.