Miss Amber Hughes

Amber is a current PhD student in mathematics education, with a focus on mathematics curriculum and policy for Indigenous students in Australia. Her supervision team consists of Dr Maura Sellars from Newcastle's School of Education, and Professor Chris Matthews from the University of Technology, Sydney, and Chair of ATSIMA (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Alliance).

Commencing her post-graduate studies in 2016, Amber currently works part-time at the University of Newcastle within the school of Education- fulfilling various Casual academic, Research assistant, and Project Officer roles across the schools of Education, and Mathematical and Physical Sciences. Some of the most valuable experiences have been through her work with the Teachers and Teaching Research Centre lead by Laureate Professor Jennifer Gore, where her involvement in the Quality Teaching Rounds has led her to gain significant experience in working in a research capacity with schools, children and teachers, and professional colleagues.

Among the highlights of her developing academic career have been publication in the journal of Educational philosophy and theory with Professor Ron Laura; presentation of her developing work at conference with ATSIMA, Australia's leading organization for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics;  as well as inclusion within a critical reading group at the Queensland University of Technology with Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson - a position which was highly sought and competitive given that only 20 applicants were selected nationally to part-take in the event. Amber has also been twice selected as a University finalist in the Three Minute Thesis competition (3MT), representing the School of Education and Faculty of Education, Humanities and Arts.

Amber's other academic interests are in post-structural theory and philosophy, and particularly the work of Foucault - whose contribution to social thinking and philosophy has been a significant influence on the development of her own work.

Currently Amber is working on a critical analysis of Indigenous educational policy, with a particular focus on the identified goals for Indigenous students within the current educational context, together with the placement of Indigenous knowledges therein. This analysis will be presented in 2020 at the Biannual ATSIMA conference in Yirrkala, North East Arnhem Land.

ATSIMA 2020 Conference. Yirrkala, North East Arnhem Land