Griffith University

DipTeach, BEd, GDMedia, GD Ed Stud, PhD

Senior Lecturer, School of Education and Professional Studies
Director, Community Partnerships
Contact details for Dr Judith Kearney

Research expertise

Judith’s research interests focus on literacy pedagogy and the effects of cultural and linguistic diversity on teaching practice. She is particularly interested in social inclusion issues and community development and is working with community organisations such a Voice of Samoan People (VOSP) to enhance educational opportunities for its members. This has involved a federally-funded investigation of Samoan children’s home-school literacy transition and three community partnership projects involving the Samoan, and other Pacific Island communities. This work has involved the production of bilingual children’s books, and the conduct of mentoring projects to raise the aspirations of Pacific Island students in secondary schools and to facilitate their transition to higher education. Judith continues to convene a Logan project that is underpinned by principles of action learning. This project is in partnership with VOSP. Its purpose is to further capacity within the Samoan community to promote educational and employment opportunities across the life span.

Research grants

• Kearney: Actioning change: A partnership with the Samoan community to promote educational opportunities. (2010-2011). Griffith University Community Partnership Project.
• Kearney, Hartley and Donaghy: Mata i luga: A mentoring project that raises aspirations of Year 10 students from Pacific Islander backgrounds. (2008) Griffith University Community Partnership Projects.
• Kearney, Fletcher and Dobrenov-Major: Improving literacy outcomes of Samoan-Australian students in Logan City. (2006) Department of Education, Science and Training, Literacy and Numeracy Innovative Project.
• Kearney, Dobrenov-Major and Birch: The role of bilingual books (Samoan/English) in homes and at school. (2005) Griffith University Community Partnership Projects.
  

Current teaching areas

• English Education 1
• English Education 2

Publications

Book chapters

• Zuber-Skerritt, O., & Kearney, J. (in press). Participatory action learning and action research for sustainable community development. In O. Zuber-Skerritt (Ed). Action Research for Sustainable Development in a Turbulent World. Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Reports

• Kearney, J. (2011). Samoan Cultural Beliefs and Practices. A Report for Child Safety Services. Logan City: Department of Communities.
  
• Kearney, J., & Fletcher, J. (2009). Evaluation of the Cultural and Linguistic Development Hub Project. Logan City: ACCESS Services Inc.
• Kearney, J., Fletcher, M., & Dobrenov-Major, M. (2009). Improving literacy outcomes for Samoan-Australian students in Logan City. Canberra: DEEWR.
• Kearney, J. (2008). Barriers and bridges to educational success for Pan Pacific Islander students in South East Queensland. Sunshine Coast Region, Education Queensland.

Refereed journals

• Kearney, J., & Zuber-Skerritt, O., (2011). Actioning Change and Lifelong Learning in Community Development. Monograph Series No 1. Action Learning and Action Research Association, Melbourne.
• Green, A., & Kearney, J. (2011). Participatory Action Learning and Action Research for Self-Sustaining Community Development: Engaging Pacific Islanders in Southeast Queensland. The Australian Journal of University-Community Engagement, 6(1), 46-68.
• Kearney, J., Fletcher, M., & Dobrenov-Major, M. (2011) Non-aligned worlds of home and school: A case study of second-generation Samoan. Journal of Family Studies,17(2),146-156 .
• Fletcher, M., Zuber-Skerritt, O., Bartlett, B., Albertyn, R., & Kearney, J. (2010). Meta-action research on a leadership development program: A process model for life-long learning. Systemic Practice & Action Research. (PDF 326.2KB) DOI 10.1007/s11213-010-9173-5.
• Kearney, J.F. (2009). Multiage Education: Allowing Connections for Pan Pacific Islander Students of Polynesian Background. Journal of Multiage Education, 3 (3), 11-12.
• Thomas, S., & Kearney, J. (2008). Teachers working in culturally diverse classrooms: Implications for the development of professional standards and for teacher education. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 36(2), 105-120.
• Kearney, J., & Bliss, J. (2008). The importance of culturally relevant text books and culturally responsive instruction for all Australian children who are beginning readers.
  
• Kitson, L., Fletcher, M.A., Kearney, J. (2007). Continuity and Change in Literacy Practices: A Move towards Multiliteracies. Journal of Classroom Interaction, 41(1), 29-41.
• Kearney, J. (2006). Embedding assessment in the early years. PEN 153. Marrickville, NSW: Primary English Teaching Association.
  
• Kearney, J. & Kitson, L. (2005). Merging cultures of home and school to facilitate literacy learning: Computer games as a solution. Literacy Learning: the Middle Years.

Refereed proceedings

• Kearney, J., & Donaghy, M. (2010). Barriers and bridges to success for Pacific Islanders completing their first year at an Australian university. Paper accepted for 13th Pacific Rim First Year in Higher Education Conference, Adelaide, 27-30 June, 2010.
  
• Kearney, J., Birch, G. & Dobrenov-Major, M. (2005). Local responses to the needs of Samoan students: Implications for pre-service education programs. 33rd Annual Conference, Australian Teacher Education Association (ATEA), Gold Coast, 6-9 July, 2005.
• Kearney, J. (2004). Understanding 'writing passivity' in order to optimise the writing performance of all student writers. In B.Bartlett, F. Bryer, D.Roebuck (Eds). Educating: Weaving research into practice. Brisbane: Griffith University.
• Kearney, J. & Kitson, L. (2004). Using computer games as classroom texts to promote literacy development. In K. Fernstrom ( Ed.) ICICTE Conference Proceedings. Samos Island, Greece: Research and training Institute of East Aegean and University College of the Fraser Valley.
• Fletcher, M., Kearney, J. & Bartlett, B. (2002). Investigating the effects of formative computer-based assessment on student learning and performance. Australian Computers in Education Conference, Linking Learners. Hobart, July 11-13.
• Kearney, J., Fletcher, M. & Bartlett, B. (2002). Computer-based assessment: Its use and effects on student learning. In H. Middleton, (Ed). Learning in Technology Education: Challenges for the 21st Century. Brisbane: Centre for Technology Education Research, Griffith University.
• Bartlett, B.J., Fletcher, M.A. & Kearney, J. (2002). Literacy and the vision splendid. In F.Bevan, C.Kanes, D.Roebuck. (Eds). Envisioning practice - implementing change. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.
• Kearney, J., Fletcher, M.A. & Bartlett, B.J. (2002). Revising the vision: Learning about learning and teaching using computer-based assessment. In F.Bevan, C.Kanes, D.Roebuck. (Eds). Envisioning practice - implementing change. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.

Non-refereed proceedings

• Kearney, J. & Thomas, S. (2005). Understanding cultural diversity in a regional Australian context. Teachers and their educators: Standards for development. 30th Annual Conference, Association for Teacher Education in Europe (ATEE), Amsterdam, 22-26 October, 2005.