Dr Erin Christensen

Biography

Erin recently joined the University of Newcastle in 2012 as a Lecturer in Health and Physical Education (HPE) in the School of Education. She completed her undergraduate degree in Human Movement Studies at The University of Queensland. After a number of years teaching HPE, Science and Outdoor Education in a large Queensland state secondary school she returned to The University of Queensland to undertake a PhD on beginning HPE teachers experiences of the staffroom. During the final year of her doctoral study, Erin taught Senior Health and Health and Physical Education at a Private Girl's school where she also spent time as an acting Head of Department (Sport).

Drawing on narrative inquiry and qualitative approaches, Erin's doctoral work explored beginning teachers' micropolitical experiences of the staffroom/office context. This work has inspired Erin's current interests in research pertaining to narrative approaches, teaching and learning in HPE contexts, secondary-tertiary and early career academic transition.

Qualifications

• PhD (Education), University of Queensland, 2012
• Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement)(Hons), University of Queensland, 2004
• Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation, The Outlook Training & Resource Centre - Qld - RTO, 2007

Research

Research keywords

• Beginning Teachers
• Narrative Inquiry
• Narrative approaches
• Transition

Research expertise

Erin's research interests concern qualitative, narrative and pragmatic approaches to understanding teaching and learning, knowledge and experience in Health and Physical Education contexts. Currently she has a strong interest in beginning teacher, secondary-tertiary and early career academic transition in Health and Physical Education.

Languages

• English

Fields of Research

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Health and Physical Education
• Inquiry Based Pedagogies
• Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity

Teaching expertise

Erin teaches into the School’s Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary)/Bachelor of Health and Physical Education program. Her teaching areas and approaches align with, inform, and are informed by, her research interests, and focus on teaching and learning in HPE contexts, inquiry based pedagogies and sociology of sport, physical activity and health and physical education.