Theresa Bourke

Theresa Bourke is an Associate Professor and Academic Lead Research at Queensland University of Technology, with a PhD in Education. Her research focuses on professional standards, accreditation, teaching diversity, and challenges in teacher workforce development.

• Education: PhD in Education (2012) from QUT.
• Research Themes: Teacher training, career change in education, policy reform, and retention strategies.

Her recent work examines mid-career transitions into teaching, analyzing motivations, barriers, and systemic reforms needed to retain career-change teachers. She highlights issues like workload, administrative demands, and mismatched expectations, advocating for flexible training programs and recognition of industry experience.

Bourke collaborates with researchers such as Erin Siostrom and Reece Mills on studies addressing teacher shortages and education policy. She receives funding from the Australian Research Council.