Dr Robert Cantwell

Dr Cantwell specialises in the development of learning theory and its applications to tertiary study. He has researched and published in a variety of areas relating to tertiary learning, including content area learning (such as nursing, history, music) as well as research into student performance at tertiary level, with particular emphasis on the role of enabling programmes and on aspects of learning processes in doctoral study. Journals include Educational Psychology, British Journal of Educational Psychology, The Psychology of Music and the Alberta Journal of Educational Research. Dr Cantwell is also editor of the Australian Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology(AJEDP).

Dr Cantwell's theoretical work has focussed on the development of frameworks for analysing student learning, both in terms of the development of learning theory and the development of assessment frameworks. This work has also informed research into individual differences in student learning, particularly in the areas of student approaches to learning and self-regulated learning. Much of Dr Cantwell's work in self-regulated learning has been translated into Polish and been the basis for an extensive research programme at Warsaw University. The current focus of Dr Cantwell's research is in the area of cognitive studies in doctoral learning, included funded research into interpersonal relations and their impact on doctoral study, epistemological change in doctoral candidature, volitional control and doctoral study, text indicators of contribution in doctoral writing as well as cognitive processes in doctoral writing.

Dr Cantwell currently supervises six doctoral students in areas ranging from learning in aviation, music, nursing and medicine to cross-cultural applications of learning theory.

Dr Cantwell has had extensive experience in lecturing to novice academic staff in the areas of both student learning and assessment. Currently, Dr Cantwell is on part secondment to the Research and Research Training Services unit at the University of Newcastle where he acts as Coordinator of Supervisor Training and Development.

Contact:
Phone:+61 2 4921 6735
Email: Robert.Cantwell@newcastle.edu.au

Full Curriculum Vitae (CV) is available on Dr Cantwell's Faculty Staff Profile page.

For Dr Cantwell's SORTI related publications, see the SORTI Publications Page