Therese M Cummings
Biographic Data
| ID | 4144959 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Therese M Cummings |
| GIVEN NAMES | Therese M |
| FAMILY NAME | Cummings |
| SIGNATURE | CUMMINGS T M |
| AFFILIATIONS | UNSW Sydney |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-4113-6046 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 25 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 13 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 25 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2014 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Accessible for all? A longitudinal evaluation of the digital accessibility of all Australian university websites
University websites are essential platforms for disseminating information and facilitating online education. While existing research has identified accessibility gaps in Oceania’s higher education institutions, there remains a limited understanding of persistent barriers and insufficient continuous evaluation practices. This study addresses these gaps by conducting a two-phase accessibility evaluation (2022–2024) of 42 Australian university websi…
‘Imagine what we could achieve if we were supported to thrive’ Neurodivergent scholars navigating academia
This study explores the experiences of neurodivergent academic staff, focusing on those with ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), within a higher education institution. Despite increasing support for neurodivergent university students, the experiences of neurodivergent staff remain largely underexplored and their needs unaddressed. Using collaborative autoethnography, the authors, all neurodivergent academics, share our personal narra…
Primary school students’ perceptions of school connectedness: "You’re all in it together"
Lessons from primary school students' perceptions of the factors that influence school connectedness
School connectedness is critical to improving students' health, development and wellbeing. Research into primary school students' perceptions of the factors that influence their sense of connectedness is essential for identifying practices that promote success. This has important implications amid heightened concern about children's relationships, mental health and educational demands. Yet research has prioritised adolescent populations, whose ch…
Conducting research in initial teacher education programs: Reflections on a pilot intervention to enhance teacher readiness in an Australian university
This study examines the process of embedding professional readiness initiatives within the context of an increasingly crowded initial teacher education (ITE) curriculum. Using a pilot intervention as a case, the study explores both the implementation of a program designed to foster readiness for professional practice and the challenges of conducting research within policy-driven and congested ITE programs. Readiness, conceptualised to be pre-serv…
Engaging in a community of practice in visual arts: A systematic literature review
Rapid review supports school-university collaborative art investigations. • Digital art projects re-engage students via belonging, agency, and community. • Strong CoPs use shared language and artefacts to foster identity and creativity. • Barriers: short projects, poor support; enablers: mentorship, real-world art. • Well-supported CoPs boost engagement, confidence, and artistic identity. This systematic literature review explored the potential o…
A Systematic Review of the Impact of the Multilevel Digital Divide in Technology-Integrated Family–School Partnerships
Empirical evidence indicates that family–school partnerships are linked to children’s academic success. The use of digital technology, including the Internet, computers, and communication systems, provides new opportunities to enhance family–school partnership practices. However, the increasing use of digital technology in family–school partnerships raises concerns about families with limited access to technology or digital skills. This systemati…
Supporting early-career teachers with external mentoring: A scoping review
This article presents a scoping review addressing the pressing issue of high attrition rates among early-areer teachers (ECTs), which poses a significant challenge to the development of a robust teacher workforce and student outcomes. Focusing on the role of external mentoring programmes, our study explores their potential in retaining ECTs within the teaching profession. Through a scoping review of the literature, we identified three central the…
Australia at an educational crossroads: Special schools and inclusive education
The ongoing debate surrounding special schools and inclusive education in Australia has come to the forefront since the recommendations of the 2023 Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, where the Commissioners were split on the implementation of full educational inclusion and the elimination of special schools. The authors discuss the controversy surrounding segregated special education classes…
Validity and reliability of a needs analysis questionnaire for the development of a creativity module
Despite the acknowledged importance of integrating creativity into school curricula, students with learning disabilities often lack the skill of creativity, due to its absence in classroom instruction. To address these gaps, the authors developed a needs analysis questionnaire assessing the necessity of a creativity module for primary school students with learning disabilities, focusing on Torrance's four creativity elements: (a) Originality, (b)…
Diversified: Promoting co-production in course design and delivery
Neurodivergent students are one of the fastest growing diversity groups in tertiary education. This highlights the need for a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) perspective in course design and delivery. One important component of UDL is student voice, which has been historically lacking, especially for neurodivergent students. In this perspectives article, the authors present a viewpoint on the importance of promoting co-production in course de…
Supporting students with complex needs living in rural and regional New South Wales: Is wraparound the answer
Historically, students attending school in rural and regional New South Wales have experienced poorer outcomes than their peers attending metropolitan schools. The lack of coordinated support services for students with complex support needs compounds this issue. Wraparound models of support have been successful in improving outcomes for students with complex support needs, and the New South Wales government has prioritised the establishment of st…
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Social Work Practice in Australia: A Narrative Literature Review
In Australia, it has been well documented that the leading preventable cause of nongenetic neurodevelopmental disability (NDD) is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This review explores literature informing Australian social work in the context of FASD. It highlights the need for increased social work research to inform evidence-based practice (EBP) in FASD diagnosis and management using the biopsychosocial-spiritual-cultural (BPSSC) framewo…
Shifting the belief of the “hard-to-reach parents” to “reachable parents”: Parent-teacher collaboration within schools in a post-colonial country
Interacting with Indigenous parents effectively can be a challenge for primary school teachers, regardless of their teaching experience. Unfortunately, within schools in post-colonial countries, teachers often perceive that this challenge exists because Indigenous parents are hard-to-reach or unresponsive to their children’s educational needs. With the intention of dismantling these destructive colonial views towards Indigenous groups, this pheno…
Exploring the efficacy of problem-based learning in diverse secondary school classrooms: Characteristics and goals of problem-based learning
Exploring universal design for learning as an accessibility tool in higher education: A review of the current literature
South Korean pre-service primary school teachers’ opinions about acceleration for gifted students
This study explored South Korean pre-service primary school teachers’ attitudes toward acceleration for gifted students. Researchers employed surveys, focus groups, and a review of literature in this mixed methods study. In total, 481 South Korean pre-service primary teachers participated in the survey and 13 out of the 481 survey participants joined the focus-group interviews afterward. Results of the survey analysis suggested that South Korean …
Teacher beliefs about evidence-based practice: A systematic review
Priscilla Alderson and Virginia Morrow, The Ethics of Research with Children and Young People
The book, The Ethics of Research with Children and Young People, aims to be a practical guide to performing research with children and young people. This is an updated second edition, which promised to span historical, current, and new perspectives on the ethics of researching with this population. The authors, Priscilla Alderson and Virginia Morrow, explore each stage of research, covering the ethical questions that researchers should consider f…
Behavioural supports for students with autism spectrum disorders: Practice, policy, and implications for special education reform in China
The educational inclusion of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be challenging, due to behavioural issues. Scant research has been conducted to investigate behavioural interventions for students with ASD in the Chinese context. Since special education in China varies greatly from that in western countries such as Australia, particularly in the area of the effective application of evidence-based practices, this must be a priority for…
Young People Transitioning from Juvenile Justice to the Community: Transition Planning and Interagency Collaboration
This study investigated the collaborative transition process for youth incarcerated for three or more months in New South Wales (‘NSW’) juvenile justice facilities. Qualitative methodology was employed to analyse interviews conducted with staff from both the education and juvenile justice systems in NSW to determine how the agencies involved with the transition planning for incarcerated youth collaborate. The study also aimed to determine the rol…
Systems barriers to community re-entry for incarcerated youths: A review
Diverse faces of inclusive research: Reflecting on three research studies
Inclusive research has become an increasing focus of research with people with disabilities, particularly people with intellectual disabilities. In this paper the authors argue that this generalized term covers a range of different approaches to including people with intellectual disabilities in research. Based on three case studies in which the authors were academic researchers the paper explores different approaches to inclusive research, raise…
Mobile technology in inclusive research: Tools of empowerment
Inclusive research is an accepted approach when conducting research about individuals with disabilities. No studies have been published to date on using mobile technology to support people with intellectual disabilities as researchers. An inclusive research team of researchers with intellectual disabilities and academic researchers used mobile technology to support research skill acquisition. They conducted 15 joint research training sessions, fo…
IPads as instructional tools to enhance learning opportunities for students with developmental disabilities: An action research project
This study details an action research project completed by an Information and Communications Technology Integration Coordinator and a team of five teachers, supported by the university partners as consultants. The project focused on the process and outcomes of the introduction of iPad technology to support students with developmental disabilities at a private high school in Sydney. The data were analyzed using the inductive content analysis appro…
Diverse faces of inclusive research: Reflecting on three research studies
Inclusive research has become an increasing focus of research with people with disabilities, particularly people with intellectual disabilities. In this paper the authors argue that this generalized term covers a range of different approaches to including people with intellectual disabilities in research. Based on three case studies in which the authors were academic researchers the paper explores different approaches to inclusive research, raise…
Mobile technology in inclusive research: Tools of empowerment
Inclusive research is an accepted approach when conducting research about individuals with disabilities. No studies have been published to date on using mobile technology to support people with intellectual disabilities as researchers. An inclusive research team of researchers with intellectual disabilities and academic researchers used mobile technology to support research skill acquisition. They conducted 15 joint research training sessions, fo…
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Social Work Practice in Australia: A Narrative Literature Review
In Australia, it has been well documented that the leading preventable cause of nongenetic neurodevelopmental disability (NDD) is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This review explores literature informing Australian social work in the context of FASD. It highlights the need for increased social work research to inform evidence-based practice (EBP) in FASD diagnosis and management using the biopsychosocial-spiritual-cultural (BPSSC) framewo…
Shifting the belief of the “hard-to-reach parents” to “reachable parents”: Parent-teacher collaboration within schools in a post-colonial country
Interacting with Indigenous parents effectively can be a challenge for primary school teachers, regardless of their teaching experience. Unfortunately, within schools in post-colonial countries, teachers often perceive that this challenge exists because Indigenous parents are hard-to-reach or unresponsive to their children’s educational needs. With the intention of dismantling these destructive colonial views towards Indigenous groups, this pheno…
Behavioural supports for students with autism spectrum disorders: Practice, policy, and implications for special education reform in China
The educational inclusion of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be challenging, due to behavioural issues. Scant research has been conducted to investigate behavioural interventions for students with ASD in the Chinese context. Since special education in China varies greatly from that in western countries such as Australia, particularly in the area of the effective application of evidence-based practices, this must be a priority for…
IPads as instructional tools to enhance learning opportunities for students with developmental disabilities: An action research project
This study details an action research project completed by an Information and Communications Technology Integration Coordinator and a team of five teachers, supported by the university partners as consultants. The project focused on the process and outcomes of the introduction of iPad technology to support students with developmental disabilities at a private high school in Sydney. The data were analyzed using the inductive content analysis appro…
Diverse faces of inclusive research: Reflecting on three research studies
Inclusive research has become an increasing focus of research with people with disabilities, particularly people with intellectual disabilities. In this paper the authors argue that this generalized term covers a range of different approaches to including people with intellectual disabilities in research. Based on three case studies in which the authors were academic researchers the paper explores different approaches to inclusive research, raise…
Mobile technology in inclusive research: Tools of empowerment
Inclusive research is an accepted approach when conducting research about individuals with disabilities. No studies have been published to date on using mobile technology to support people with intellectual disabilities as researchers. An inclusive research team of researchers with intellectual disabilities and academic researchers used mobile technology to support research skill acquisition. They conducted 15 joint research training sessions, fo…
IPads as instructional tools to enhance learning opportunities for students with developmental disabilities: An action research project
This study details an action research project completed by an Information and Communications Technology Integration Coordinator and a team of five teachers, supported by the university partners as consultants. The project focused on the process and outcomes of the introduction of iPad technology to support students with developmental disabilities at a private high school in Sydney. The data were analyzed using the inductive content analysis appro…
Young People Transitioning from Juvenile Justice to the Community: Transition Planning and Interagency Collaboration
This study investigated the collaborative transition process for youth incarcerated for three or more months in New South Wales (‘NSW’) juvenile justice facilities. Qualitative methodology was employed to analyse interviews conducted with staff from both the education and juvenile justice systems in NSW to determine how the agencies involved with the transition planning for incarcerated youth collaborate. The study also aimed to determine the rol…
Systems barriers to community re-entry for incarcerated youths: A review
Behavioural supports for students with autism spectrum disorders: Practice, policy, and implications for special education reform in China
The educational inclusion of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be challenging, due to behavioural issues. Scant research has been conducted to investigate behavioural interventions for students with ASD in the Chinese context. Since special education in China varies greatly from that in western countries such as Australia, particularly in the area of the effective application of evidence-based practices, this must be a priority for…
Teacher beliefs about evidence-based practice: A systematic review
Priscilla Alderson and Virginia Morrow, The Ethics of Research with Children and Young People
The book, The Ethics of Research with Children and Young People, aims to be a practical guide to performing research with children and young people. This is an updated second edition, which promised to span historical, current, and new perspectives on the ethics of researching with this population. The authors, Priscilla Alderson and Virginia Morrow, explore each stage of research, covering the ethical questions that researchers should consider f…
Exploring the efficacy of problem-based learning in diverse secondary school classrooms: Characteristics and goals of problem-based learning
Exploring universal design for learning as an accessibility tool in higher education: A review of the current literature
South Korean pre-service primary school teachers’ opinions about acceleration for gifted students
This study explored South Korean pre-service primary school teachers’ attitudes toward acceleration for gifted students. Researchers employed surveys, focus groups, and a review of literature in this mixed methods study. In total, 481 South Korean pre-service primary teachers participated in the survey and 13 out of the 481 survey participants joined the focus-group interviews afterward. Results of the survey analysis suggested that South Korean …
Diversified: Promoting co-production in course design and delivery
Neurodivergent students are one of the fastest growing diversity groups in tertiary education. This highlights the need for a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) perspective in course design and delivery. One important component of UDL is student voice, which has been historically lacking, especially for neurodivergent students. In this perspectives article, the authors present a viewpoint on the importance of promoting co-production in course de…
Supporting students with complex needs living in rural and regional New South Wales: Is wraparound the answer
Historically, students attending school in rural and regional New South Wales have experienced poorer outcomes than their peers attending metropolitan schools. The lack of coordinated support services for students with complex support needs compounds this issue. Wraparound models of support have been successful in improving outcomes for students with complex support needs, and the New South Wales government has prioritised the establishment of st…
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Social Work Practice in Australia: A Narrative Literature Review
In Australia, it has been well documented that the leading preventable cause of nongenetic neurodevelopmental disability (NDD) is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This review explores literature informing Australian social work in the context of FASD. It highlights the need for increased social work research to inform evidence-based practice (EBP) in FASD diagnosis and management using the biopsychosocial-spiritual-cultural (BPSSC) framewo…
Shifting the belief of the “hard-to-reach parents” to “reachable parents”: Parent-teacher collaboration within schools in a post-colonial country
Interacting with Indigenous parents effectively can be a challenge for primary school teachers, regardless of their teaching experience. Unfortunately, within schools in post-colonial countries, teachers often perceive that this challenge exists because Indigenous parents are hard-to-reach or unresponsive to their children’s educational needs. With the intention of dismantling these destructive colonial views towards Indigenous groups, this pheno…
Australia at an educational crossroads: Special schools and inclusive education
The ongoing debate surrounding special schools and inclusive education in Australia has come to the forefront since the recommendations of the 2023 Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, where the Commissioners were split on the implementation of full educational inclusion and the elimination of special schools. The authors discuss the controversy surrounding segregated special education classes…
Validity and reliability of a needs analysis questionnaire for the development of a creativity module
Despite the acknowledged importance of integrating creativity into school curricula, students with learning disabilities often lack the skill of creativity, due to its absence in classroom instruction. To address these gaps, the authors developed a needs analysis questionnaire assessing the necessity of a creativity module for primary school students with learning disabilities, focusing on Torrance's four creativity elements: (a) Originality, (b)…
Engaging in a community of practice in visual arts: A systematic literature review
Rapid review supports school-university collaborative art investigations. • Digital art projects re-engage students via belonging, agency, and community. • Strong CoPs use shared language and artefacts to foster identity and creativity. • Barriers: short projects, poor support; enablers: mentorship, real-world art. • Well-supported CoPs boost engagement, confidence, and artistic identity. This systematic literature review explored the potential o…
A Systematic Review of the Impact of the Multilevel Digital Divide in Technology-Integrated Family–School Partnerships
Empirical evidence indicates that family–school partnerships are linked to children’s academic success. The use of digital technology, including the Internet, computers, and communication systems, provides new opportunities to enhance family–school partnership practices. However, the increasing use of digital technology in family–school partnerships raises concerns about families with limited access to technology or digital skills. This systemati…
Supporting early-career teachers with external mentoring: A scoping review
This article presents a scoping review addressing the pressing issue of high attrition rates among early-areer teachers (ECTs), which poses a significant challenge to the development of a robust teacher workforce and student outcomes. Focusing on the role of external mentoring programmes, our study explores their potential in retaining ECTs within the teaching profession. Through a scoping review of the literature, we identified three central the…
Accessible for all? A longitudinal evaluation of the digital accessibility of all Australian university websites
University websites are essential platforms for disseminating information and facilitating online education. While existing research has identified accessibility gaps in Oceania’s higher education institutions, there remains a limited understanding of persistent barriers and insufficient continuous evaluation practices. This study addresses these gaps by conducting a two-phase accessibility evaluation (2022–2024) of 42 Australian university websi…
‘Imagine what we could achieve if we were supported to thrive’ Neurodivergent scholars navigating academia
This study explores the experiences of neurodivergent academic staff, focusing on those with ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), within a higher education institution. Despite increasing support for neurodivergent university students, the experiences of neurodivergent staff remain largely underexplored and their needs unaddressed. Using collaborative autoethnography, the authors, all neurodivergent academics, share our personal narra…
Primary school students’ perceptions of school connectedness: "You’re all in it together"
Lessons from primary school students' perceptions of the factors that influence school connectedness
School connectedness is critical to improving students' health, development and wellbeing. Research into primary school students' perceptions of the factors that influence their sense of connectedness is essential for identifying practices that promote success. This has important implications amid heightened concern about children's relationships, mental health and educational demands. Yet research has prioritised adolescent populations, whose ch…
Conducting research in initial teacher education programs: Reflections on a pilot intervention to enhance teacher readiness in an Australian university
This study examines the process of embedding professional readiness initiatives within the context of an increasingly crowded initial teacher education (ITE) curriculum. Using a pilot intervention as a case, the study explores both the implementation of a program designed to foster readiness for professional practice and the challenges of conducting research within policy-driven and congested ITE programs. Readiness, conceptualised to be pre-serv…
Psychology (17 works) · Political science (12 works) · Medicine (9 works) · Pedagogy (9 works) · Computer Science (8 works) · Medical education (8 works) · Sociology (8 works) · Mathematics education (7 works) · Developmental psychology (5 works) · Disability Education and Employment (5 works)