Aruna Devi

Biography

Dr Aruna Devi is a Lecturer in the School of Education and Tertiary Access. Her teaching is centred on tertiary preparation pathways providing the necessary skills and knowledge for students to succeed at the university. She teaches Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology with dedicated research interests in learning difficulties and special education.

Dr Devi received her doctorate from the University of Southern Queensland awarded with an Excellence in Doctoral Research for the highest possible examination results. Her research has focused on “Preparing Teachers to Instruct Students with Autism in Inclusive Settings: Australian Pre-Service Teachers’ and Recent Graduates’ Perspectives - An Exploratory Case Study”. With the best thesis among education graduates, Dr Devi’s thesis was nominated for Ray Debus Award for Doctoral Research in Education.

She received her Master of Educational Studies degree (inclusive education) from The University of Queensland, awarded with Faculty Dean’s Honours for academic merit. Dr Devi attained her Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary Education) from The University of Adelaide and Bachelor of Secondary Education from the University of South Pacific Fiji.

Dr Devi’s current research interests are in learning difficulties, student learning and development, autism, special and inclusive education, mathematics and teacher education. She is interested in socio-cognitive theories for self-efficacy belief, including qualitative and quantitative educational research topics. Expressions of interest from higher degree research (HDR) students to pursue postgraduate research in these, or related education areas, are particularly welcome.

Teaching experience

1. TPP104 Mathematics
2. TPP103 Chemistry (Experience in coordination)
3. TPP109 Biology
4. TPP105 Statistics
5. EDU202 Individual Learner Needs
6. EDU412 Diversity and Inclusion (Coordination)
7. EDU712 Diversity and Inclusion (Coordination)

Memberships

1. Queensland College of Teachers – Registered Teacher (Full)
2. Golden Key International Honour Society (excellence in postgraduate studies through USQ)
3. The Australian Association of Special Education (AASE)
4. The Australian Association of Research in Education (AARE)
5. National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET)
6. Mathematics Education Group of Australasia
7. Adult Learning Mathematics

Awards/Fellowships

1. Excellence in Doctoral Research (Best Thesis Award): University of Southern Queensland, Australia, 2020
2. Nominated for: Ray Debus Award for Doctoral Research in Education by USQ, Australia, 2020
3. Golden Key International Honour Society: University of Southern Queensland, Australia, 2018
4. Dean’s Honours for High Achievement, Faculty of Social & Behavioural Science: The University of Queensland, 2008
5. Commonwealth Government Scholarship, The University of Queensland, 2007