Mrs Kristen Allen

Kristen is the Deputy Program Convenor for the English Language and Foundation Studies Centre.  She is also the Course Coordinator of Academic Literacies 1 and 2 - the core courses in the Newstep Program.

Research

In 2017, Kristen began her PhD in sociology where she plans to explore the successes of enabling students that occur beyond what the numerical data reveals, and look to why the definition of ‘success’ in higher education needs to be revisited in order to be more inclusive.

In 2017, Kristen presented a workshop at the NAEEA conference presenting the findings of her PhD research to date, regarding the effects of limiting definitions of success on students.

In 2015, in her role as Discipline Coordinator (Humanities), Kristen undertook research on why enabling practice in assessment is at variance with first year undergraduate practice in the Humanities discipline. Kristen presented her findings at the annual NAEEA conference.

During the same year, Kristen also co-wrote a peer-reviewed conference paper entitled "Engaging enabling students by integrating themes of social equity and justice into enabling programs".

Grants

2018 - New Research Concepts - $3000

2018 - New Research Concepts top-up - $500

Teaching

After earning her Bachelor Teaching / Bachelor Arts degree (Hons), Kristen began teaching in secondary education in English and Drama. Motivated by exploring pathways to tertiary education, she accepted employment with the University of Newcastle's Newstep Program and is currently coordinating the Program's compulsory Academic Literacies course.

Since joining the English Language and Foundation Studies Centre in 2008, Kristen has also coordinated Australian Culture and Society, and Linguistics, as well as tutored in Foundations in Education, in the Open Foundation Program.

In 2015, Kristen received the English Language and Foundation Studies Teaching and Learning Award for her commitment to the continuous improvement of the student experience through innovative, reflective and research-driven curriculum development and teaching and learning practices.

Governance and Administration

Deputy Program Convenor - Ourimbah (2016 - Present)

Member of the Teaching and Learning Committee - Ourimbah (2015 - Present)

Member of the ELFSC Board - Ourimbah (2017 - Present)

Discipline Coordinator (Humanities) (2015)

Academic Advisor (2009-2010)