Dr Sharon Louth is a core member of the Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre (ITRC) at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), where her research focuses on inclusive, cooperative and motivational learning strategies that build self-efficacy and empower diverse student cohorts. Drawing on extensive teaching experience across secondary and tertiary education, she emphasises embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and enabling educational pathways in regional, rural and remote contexts.
Her current research includes longitudinal investigations into educational engagement for First Nations youth (in collaboration with community Elders) and studies of preservice teacher efficacy in embedding Indigenous perspectives within classroom practice.
Key Research Impact
- Dr Louth is lead investigator on the Deep Listening project, which uses a Dadirri (deep-listening) methodology to explore factors influencing school attendance and achievement for Indigenous students. This project received $170,000 in funding from the Queensland Government’s Education Horizon Grants.
- She also leads the program “Marigurim Yan – A path to new possibilities for First Nations youth” (Butchulla word meaning “strong walk”), which secured $300,000 from the John Villiers Trust to deliver a three-year initiative supporting 180 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
- Her recent article, “What does Place Bring to my Teaching? Professional Dissonance and the Development of Rural Consciousness” (2025), published in the Australian & International Journal of Rural Education, provides new insights into teacher experiences in regional and remote contexts.
Translation to Practice and Policy
Through her deep engagement with school communities—particularly in regional and Indigenous settings—Dr Louth ensures her research directly informs teacher-education programs, professional development for inclusive pedagogy, and policy frameworks addressing educational equity and teacher retention in regional Australia.
Recognition and Significance
Her leadership in securing competitive, socially impactful research funding, and her strong partnerships with Indigenous communities, highlight her standing within UniSC and the broader education sector. Her work advances the ITRC’s vision to foster equitable, inclusive, and transcultural educational practices that empower learners and communities.
