Prof Maree Dinan-Thompson ~ Deputy Vice Chancellor, Education

Over a period of more than 20 years at James Cook University Maree has made an outstanding contribution to the delivery of innovative, contemporary and authentic curriculum, assessment and course design which has drawn both her students and colleagues into a heightened level of engagement and transformation in teaching and learning.

Maree's curriculum expertise forms a strong part of her research focus on health and physical education curriculum, curriculum change, and assessment literacy. In more recent times Maree has engaged in research on Indigenous games and their cultural significance to stakeholders.

Maree's learning and teaching expertise has led to senior management roles at James Cook University. From 2017-2020 Maree undertook the Dean, Learning, Teaching and Student Engagement, and followed to the DVC Students role in 2020, and then DVC Education in 2022.  Maree's research interests on curriculum, assessment, student success, and health promotion provides foundation to valuing students, valuing educators and enabling capability building. 

Experience

• 2022 to present - DVC Education, JCU (Cairns)
• 2020 to 2022 - DVC Students, JCU (Cairns)
• 2017 to 2020 - Dean, Learning, Teaching & Student Engagement, JCU (Cairns)
• 2014 to 2017 - CASE ADLT, JCU (Cairns)
• 2011 to 2017 - Course Coordinator: Graduate Certificate for Catholic Education, JCU (Cairns)
• 2012 to 2014 - FAESS Associate Dean Teaching and Learning, JCU (Cairns)
• 2010 to 2011 - Deputy Head of School of Education, JCU (Cairns)
• 2009 to 2010 - FAESS Faculty Scholar - Assessment, JCU (Cairns)
• 2009 - Course Coordinator: Graduate Diploma of Education Years 1 to 9, JCU (Cairns)
• 2004 to 2007 - Course Coordinator: Graduate Certificate of Education (Tertiary Teaching), JCU (Cairns)

Research Disciplines

• Curriculum and pedagogy (3901)
• Religious studies (5004)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Religion (1305)
• Learner and learning (1601)
• Teaching and curriculum (1603)

Awards

• 2012 - JCU Citation for Contribution to Student Learning
• 2006 - JCU Citation for Contribution to Student Learning
• 2000 - JCU Inclusive Practice Award
• 1996 - Australian College of Educators - Peninsula Region: Classroom-based Teacher ‘Excellence in Education’

Fellowships

• 2012 - Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation

Memberships

• 2000 - Australian Curriculum Studies Association Inc.
• 2000 - Australian Association of Researchers in Education
• 1996 - Australian College of Educators
• 1992 - Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation
• 1988 - Queensland College of Teachers - Registered Teacher

Other

• 2018 - QCAA Syllabus expert
• 2012 - Queensland Studies Authority Learning Area Reference Committee member - Health and Physical Education
• 2012 - Australian Curriculum, Assessment & Reporting Authority: Advisory Panel member for Health and Physical Education
• 2003 to 2103 - Queensland Studies Authority - Tertiary education Representative for Physical Education State Panel
• 2002 to 2006 - Queensland Studies Authority: Advisory Panel member for Health & Physical Education

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Bonato G, Dinan-Thompson M and Salter P (in press) Investigating Indigenous games as Indigenous knowledges and perspectives in PETE: a systematic literature review. Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education,
• Foley T, Dinan-Thompson M and Caltabiano N (2022) A case study of interreligious learning and teaching in a Catholic primary school - a nexus of leadership, pedagogy, identity, and relationships. International Studies in Catholic Education, 14 (2). pp. 162-182
• Johnson C, Boon H and Dinan Thompson M (2022) Cognitive demands of the reformed Queensland physics, chemistry and biology syllabus: an analysis framed by the New Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. Research in Science Education, 52. pp. 1603-1622
• Foley T, Dinan-Thompson M and Caltabiano N (2020) Interreligious learning and teaching: unfolding layers of meaning in lived experience to inform possibilities for students in Catholic schools. Journal of Religious Education, 68. pp. 141-160
• Johnson C, Boon H and Dinan Thompson M (2020) Curriculum alignment after reforms: a systematic review with considerations for Queensland pre- and in-service teachers. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 45 (11).
• Brooks C and Dinan Thompson M (2015) Insideness and outsideness: an autoethnography of a primary physical education specialist teacher. European Physical Education Review, 21 (3). pp. 325-339
• Dinan Thompson M and Penney D (2015) Assessment literacy in primary physical education. European Physical Education Review, 21 (4). pp. 485-503
• Dinan Thompson M, Meldrum K and Sellwood J (2014) "…it is not just a game": connecting with culture through traditional indigenous games. American Journal of Educational Research, 2 (11). pp. 1015-1022
• McMahon J and Dinan Thompson M (2014) Health and physical education and the online tertiary environment at two universities: pre-service teachers' perceived 'readiness' to teach HPE. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 39 (3). pp. 120-134
• Brooks C and Dinan Thompson M (2013) Professional insiders/outsiders? Teacher professionalism and the primary school Physical Education specialist. Asia Pacific Journal of Health, Sport and Physical Education , 4 (3). pp. 235-248
• DinanThompson M (2013) Claiming 'educative outcomes' in HPE: the potential for 'pedagogic action'. Asia Pacific Journal of Health, Sport and Physical Education , 4 (2). pp. 127-142

Book Chapters

• Foley T and Dinan-Thompson M (2019) Identity and dialogue: Learnings from a personal interreligious encounter. In: Global Perspectives on Catholic Religious Education in Schools. Springer, Singapore, pp. 563-573

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 34+ research outputs authored by Prof Maree Dinan-Thompson from 2000 onwards.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Cognitive Demands of Science Curricula: A Case Study of Alignment Between Intention and Practice (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Pre-service teachers? perceptions of embedding traditional Indigenous games within Health and Physical Education teaching practices. (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)

Completed

• Implementation of national History and Geography curriculum initiatives by a regional Queensland secondary social science department: actants, agency, and curriculum change (2018, PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Professionalism and the primary physical education specialist teacher in Queensland state primary schools (2018, PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Exploring Perceptions of Interreligious Learning and Teaching and the Interplay with Religious Identity (2023, PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)