Dr Catherine Manathunga
Honorary Associate Professor
School of Education
Researcher biography
Dr Catherine Manathunga is Associate Professor in the School of Education Policy and Implementation at the Victoria University, Wellington. Her research interests include postgraduate supervision, interdisciplinary research education, the history of teaching and learning in universities, and the professional development of supervisors and researchers.
Catherine is an historian and draws together expertise in historical, sociological and cultural studies research to bring an innovative, interdisciplinary perspective to higher education research, particularly focusing on doctoral education and the history of university teaching and learning. She currently researches in the following areas:
- Postgraduate Supervision : power, identity and culture in postgraduate supervision; power and desire in team supervision pedagogy
- Supervisor Educational Development : post-colonial interpretations of supervisor educational development;
- Research and Innovation Leader Development : research graduates attributes and outcomes in universities and industry; ongoing professional development for researchers in public and private sector research organisations; interdisciplinary research;
- History of Australian Teaching and Learning : a genealogy of the development of teaching and learning in Australian universities.
She currently supervises RHD students in the areas of effective teaching and learning in higher education, supporting international students' learning, evaluating effective teaching and learning and in development aid policy.
Publications
Book
Kyle, N., Manathunga, C. and Scott, J. (1999). A class of its own: the History of Queensland University of Technology.. Alexandria, NSW: Hale & Iremonger.
Book Chapters
Bunda, Tracey, Qi, Jing, Manathunga, Catherine and Singh, Michael J. (2017). Enhancing the Australian doctoral experience: locating culture and identity at the centre. Student Culture and Identity in Higher Education. (pp. 143-159) edited by Ambreen Shahriar and Ghazal Kazim Syed. Hershey, PA United States: IGI Global. doi: 10.4018/978-1-5225-2551-6.ch009
Manathunga, Catherine (2010). Critical transcultural exchanges: educational development for supervisors. The Routledge doctoral supervisor's companion: supporting effective research in education and the social sciences. (pp. 76-87) edited by Pat Thomson and Melanie Walker. Abingdon, Oxon United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780203851760
Manathunga, C. and Donnelly, R. (2009). Going global in online academic development programs.. Applied eLearning and eTeaching in Higher Education. (pp. 84-107) edited by Donnelly, R. and McSweeney, F.. Dublin, Ireland: Idea Group Inc..
Manathunga, C. (2009). Postcolonial perspectives on interdisciplinary researcher identities. Academic research and researchers. (pp. 131-145) edited by Brew, A. and Lucas, L.. London, United Kingdom: Open University Press.
Tai Peseta and Manathunga, Catherine E. (2008). The anxiety of making academics over: resistance and responsibility in the academic development project. Knowledge as value: illumination through critical prisms. (pp. 79-94) edited by Ian Morley and Mira Crouch. Amsterdam, New York: Rodopi.
Manathunga, Catherine (2007). Intercultural postgraduate supervision: Ethnographic journeys of identitiy and power. Learning and teaching across cultures in higher education. (pp. 93-113) edited by David Palfreyman and Dawn Lorraine McBride. New York: Palgrave. doi: 10.1057/9780230590427
Hinton, B. and Manathunga, C. (2001). Mobile phones and lectures don't mix.. Lecturing: case studies, experience and practice.. (pp. 37-43) edited by Edwards, Helen, Smith, Brenda and Webb, Graham. London: Kogan Page.
Manathunga, C. (1999). Women and citizenship in post-revolutionary states.. Citizenship, women and social justice: international historical perspectives.. (pp. 93-103) edited by Damousi, J. and Ellinghaus, K.. Melbourne: Australian Network for Research in Women's History & Department of History, University of Melbourne.
Journal Articles
Tadesse, Tefera, Manathunga, Catherine E. and Gillies, Robyn M. (2018). Making sense of quality teaching and learning in higher education in Ethiopia: Unfolding existing realities for future promises. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 15 (1) 4, 1-22.
Tadesse, Tefera, Manathunga, Catherine E. and Gillies, Robyn M. (2017). The development and validation of the student engagement scale in an Ethiopian university context. Higher Education Research and Development, 37 (1), 1-18. doi: 10.1080/07294360.2017.1342605
Manathunga, Catherine, Pitt, Rachael, Cox, Laura, Boreham, Paul, Mellick, George and Lant, Paul (2012). Evaluating industry-based doctoral research programs: Perspectives and outcomes of Australian Cooperative Research Centre graduates. Studies in Higher Education, 37 (7), 843-858. doi: 10.1080/03075079.2011.554607
Manathunga, Catherine, Kiley, Margaret, Boud, David and Cantwell, Robert (2012). From knowledge acquisition to knowledge production: Issues with Australian honours curricula. Teaching in Higher Education, 17 (2), 139-151. doi: 10.1080/13562517.2011.590981
Clarke, Patricia, Schull, Daniel, Coleman, Glen, Pitt, Rachael and Manathunga, Catherine (2012). Enhancing professional writing skills of veterinary technology students: linking assessment and clinical practice in a communications course. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 38 (3), 273-287. doi: 10.1080/02602938.2011.630975
Kiley, Margaret, Boud, David, Manathunga, Catherine and Cantwell, Robert (2011). Honouring the incomparable: Honours in Australian universities. Higher Education, 62 (5), 619-633. doi: 10.1007/s10734-011-9409-z
Morris, Suzanne, Pitt, Rachael and Manathunga, Catherine (2011). Students' experiences of supervision in academic and industry settings: Results of an Australian study. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, iFirst Article (5), 1-18. doi: 10.1080/02602938.2011.557715
Manathunga, Catherine (2011). The field of educational development: Histories and critical questions. Studies in Continuing Education, 33 (3), 347-362. doi: 10.1080/0158037X.2011.613375
Lee, Alison, Manathunga, Catherine and Kandlbinder, Peter (2010). Shaping a culture: oral histories of academic development in Australian universities. Higher Education Research & Development, 29 (3), 307-318. doi: 10.1080/07294360903252128
Manathunga, Catherine, Pesetab, Tai and McCormack, Coralie (2010). Supervisor development through creative approaches to writing. International Journal for Academic Development, 15 (1), 33-46. doi: 10.1080/13601440903529893
Manathunga, C. (2009). Supervision as a contested space: A response.. Teaching In Higher Education, 14 (3), 341-345. doi: 10.1080/13562510902990242
Manathunga, Catherine (2009). Research as an intercultural ‘contact zone’. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 30 (2), 165-177. doi: 10.1080/01596300902809161
Grant, B., Lee, A., Clegg, S., Manathunga, C., Barrow, M., Kandlbinder, P., Brailsford, I., Gosling, D. and Hicks, M. (2009). Why history? Why now? Multiple accounts of the emergence of academic development.. International Journal for Academic Development, 14 (1), 83-86.
Manathunga, Catherine, Pitt, Rachael and Critchley, Christa (2009). Graduate attribute development and employment outcomes: Tracking PhD graduates. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 34 (1), 91-103. doi: 10.1080/02602930801955945
Manathunga, Catherine (2007). 'Unhomely' academic developer identities: More post-colonial explorations. International Journal for Academic Development, 12 (1), 25-34. doi: 10.1080/13601440701217287
Manathunga, Catherine and Goozee, Justine (2007). Challenging the dual assumption of the 'always/already' autonomous student and effective supervisor. Teaching In Higher Education, 12 (3), 309-322. doi: 10.1080/13562510701278658
Catherine Manathunga, Paul Lant and George Mellick (2007). Developing Professional researchers: Research students' graduate attributes. Studies in continuing Education, 29 (1), 19-36. doi: 10.1080/01580370601146270
Manathunga, Catherine (2007). Supervision as mentoring: The role of power and boundary crossing. Studies in Continuing Education, 29 (2), 207-222. doi: 10.1080/01580370701424650
Manathunga, Catherine (2006). Doing educational development ambivalently: Applying post-colonial metaphors to educational development?. International Journal for Academic Development, 11 (1), 19-29. doi: 10.1080/13601440600578771
Manathunga, Catherine, Lant, Paul and Mellick, George (2006). Imagining an interdisciplinary doctoral pedagogy. Teaching In Higher Education, 11 (3), 365-379. doi: 10.1080/13562510600680954
Manathunga, C. E. and Lant, P. A. (2006). How do we ensure good PhD student outcomes?. Education for Chemical Engineering, 1 (1), 72-81. doi: 10.1205/ece.05003
Manathunga, Catherine (2005). Early warning signs in postgraduate research education: a different approach to ensuring timely completions. Teaching in Higher Education, 10 (2), 219-233. doi: 10.1080/1356251042000337963
Peseta, T., Hicks, M., Holmes, T., Manathunga, C., Sutherland, K. and Wilcox, S. (2005). The challenging academic development (CAD) collective (research note). International Journal for Academic Development, 10 (1), 59-61.
Manathunga, Catherine (2005). The development of research supervision: 'Turning the light on private space'. International Journal for Academic Development, 10 (1), 17-30. doi: 10.1080/13601440500099977
Manathunga, Catherine, Smith, Calvin and Bath, Debra (2004). Developing and evaluating authentic integration between research and coursework in professional doctorate programs. Teaching In Higher Education, 9 (2), 235-246. doi: 10.1080/1356251042000195321
Ahern, K. J. and Manathunga, C. E. (2004). Clutch-starting stalled research students. Innovative Higher Education, 28 (4), 237-254. doi: 10.1023/b:ihie.0000018908.36113.a5
MacKinnon, Dolly and Manathunga, Catherine (2003). Going global with assessment: what to do when the dominant culture's literacy drives assessment. Higher Education Research & Development, 22 (2), 131-144. doi: 10.1080/07294360304110
Manathunga, Cahterine and Wissler, Rod (2003). Generic skill development for research higher degree students: an Australian example. International Journal of Instructional Media, 30 (3), 233-246.
Manathunga, Catherine (2002). Designing online learning modules: an Australian example in teacher education. International Journal of Instructional Media, 29 (2), 185-195.
Manathunga, Catherine E. (2002). Women and citizenship in post-revolutionary states. Review Journal of Philosophy and Social Science, 27 (1 & 2), 97-127.
Scott, J., Manathunga, C. and Kyle, N. (2000). Technical bodies: towards a gendered history of technical education in Queensland, 1880s to Second World War.. History of Education Review, 29 (1), 1-15.
Scott, Joanne, Manathunga, C. and Kyle, Noeline (1999). 'A haphazard list of 'interesting' classes': Brisbane Technical College, 1880s-1909. Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland, 17 (4), 145-154.
Manathunga, Catherine (1998). A crisis of expectations: UN peacekeeping in the 1990s. Australian Journal of Politics and History, 44 (1), 152-153. doi: 10.1111/1467-8497.00008
Manathunga, C. (1996). The evolution of Irish disarmament initiatives at the United Nations: 1957-61.. Irish Studies in International Affairs, 7, 97-113.
Manathunga, Catherine (1994). Seeking international order through middle power status in international organisations: Ireland at the UN: 1955-69. Proceedings of the University of Queensland History Research Group, 5, 33-48.
Conference Papers
Choi, S., Nieminen, T.A. and Manathunga, C. (2008). "What Brought you Here?" International Postgraduate Students' Perspectives. 5th International Lifelong Learning Conference, Rydges Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, Qld, 16-19 June 2008. Yeppoon, Qld: Central Queensland University Press.
Choi, S., Nieminen, T.A. and Manathunga, C. (2008). Postdoctoral and Early Career Research Work for Further Learning and Independence. 5th International Lifelong Learning Conference, Rydges Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, Qld, 16-19 June 2008. Yeppoon, Qld: Central Queensland University Press.
Catherine Manathunga and Tai Peseta (2007). The anxiety of making academics over: Resistance and responsibility in academic development. 1st Global Conference on the value of knowledge, Sydney, Australia, 12-14 February, 2007. Oxford, United Kingdom: Inter-Disciplinary Press.
Morris, S. E., Beveridge, C. A. and Manathunga, C. (2007). Authorship and research higher degree training: Empowering students. Enhancing Higher Education, Theory and Scholarship. 30th HERDSA Annual Conference, Adelaide, Australia, 8-11 July 2007. Australia: Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia.
Morris, S. E., Yeo, G., Frederiks, E. and Manathunga, C. (2007). Industry supervision: Research higher degree student's experiences and perspectives. Enhancing Higher Education, Theory and Scholarship. 30th HERDSA Annual Conference, Adelaide, 8-11 July 2007. Australia: Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia.
Manathunga, Catherine and MacKinnon, Dolly (2003). 'Worldmarks': Web guidelines for socially and culturally responsive assessment in university classrooms. Learning Conference 2002: The Ninth International Literacy and Education Research Network Conference on Learning, Beijing, China, 16-20 July 2002. Altona, VIC, Australia: Common Ground.
Manathunga, C. E. (2003). Developing interdisciplinary research graduates: educational opportunities and dilemmas. Joint New Zealand Association for Research in Education (NZARE) & Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) International Conference, Auckland, New Zealand., Auckland, New Zealand, 29 November - 3 December, 2003. Auckland, New Zealand: AARE.
Manathunga, C. E. (2002). Detecting and Dealing with Early Warning Signs in Postgraduate Research Education: A work-in-progress. International Quality in Postgraduate Research Conference, 202, Adelaide, 18-19 April 2002. University of Canberra, ACT: The Centre for Enhancement of Learning, Univ. of Canberra.
O'Brien, M., Manathunga, C. E. and Hughes, C. P. (2002). Professional development: Future journeys in a changing educational landscape. International Conference for the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE), University of Queensland, Brisbane, 1-5 December, 2002.
Manathunga, Catherine E. and MacKinnon, Dolly (2001). Socially and culturally responsive assessment: Preparing students for the new economy. Knowledge demands for the new economy., Parkroyal Surfers Paradise, Surfers Paradise, 3-5 December 2001. Brisbane: Australian Academic Press.
Research Reports
Yeo, G., Frederiks, E., Parsons, A., Zajdlewicz, L., Morris, S., Manathunga, C. and Pitt, R. (2007). Research higher degree (RHD) experiences and outcomes. St Lucia, Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland Social Research Centre.
Manathunga, Catherine, Pitt, Rachael and Critchley, Christa (2005). Australia's future research leaders: Are they coming from CRCs?. St Lucia, Australia: University of Queensland.
Manathunga, C., Lant, P. and Mellick, G. (2003). Interdisciplinary research education and staff development: an interdisciplinary study.. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.