James graduated with a first-class Honours degree from the Bachelor of Education (Primary) course in 2012. Since graduating James has taught in primary schools in the Bathurst region, focusing on science education, gifted and talented education and small school education. The subject of James' Honours thesis was how a primary science and technology curriculum subject influenced the science teaching efficacy beliefs of a cohort of preservice primary teachers. In 2013 James was offered an Australian Postgraduate award to complete a PhD at CSU, Bathurst. In his PhD research, James investigated how the science subjects offered at CSU influence the science teaching efficacy beliefs and science teaching practices of early career primary teachers. He was awarded his doctorate in 2017. James has extensive experience as a university educator, teaching 40 subject offerings across science, technology and educational research methods since 2014. As an early career researcher, James has experience with meta-analytic, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. He is currently working on projects in primary science and technology education, creative arts education and university education practices.

Dr James Deehan is a registered co-supervisor and is interested in the following areas in educational research:

• Primary education
• Science education
• Technology education
• University education
• Quantitative research methods
• Qualitative research methods
• Meta analytic research methods

James has a broad array of research interests and generally seeks worthwhile opportunities to advance educational knowledge and practice. His core areas of interest are primary education, science education, technology education and university education. James also has experience employing quantitative, qualitative and meta analytic research methods. James’ current research projects include:

• Promoting Connectedness in Higher Education: An Investigation of Online and On-campus Learning Communities in Creative Arts Education (Charles Sturt University Ethics Protocol Number: H20002)
• Primary science and technology education in Australian universities: A comprehensive overview of context and practice (Charles Sturt University Ethics Protocol Number: H18197)
• Investigating students’ feedback beliefs and perceptions of feedback value at a regional Australian university (Charles Sturt University Ethics Protocol Number: H18264)

James’ university teaching is focused on primary science, technology and educational research methods. James is a registered HDR co-supervisor and is interested supervising Honours, Masters and PhD students. James has taught the following subjects:

• EER500: Introduction to Educational Research (2016-present)
• EMS207: Science and Technology Curriculum Studies (2016-present)
• EMS406: Science and Technology Curriculum Studies (2015-present)
• EEB504: Data-Informed Practice (2016-2018)
• EER501: Qualitative Research Methods (2015-2018)
• EEB501: Preparing a Literature Review (2018)
• ESC407: Classroom Technologies (2017-2018)
• EMM209: Mathematics Content and Pedagogy (2017)
• EEL410: Special Topic in Education: Teacher as Researcher (2016)
• EER411: Researching Teaching (2016)
• EMH304: Education for Sustainability (2015)
• EPT435: Emerging Professional and EPT445: Internship (2015)
• EMS308: Science and Technology Curriculum (2014)
• EMS418: Curriculum Studies: Science and Technology (2013-2014)
• EMS301: Science and Technology in the Primary School (2014)

In 2018, James received a Charles Sturt University Faculty of Arts and Education Excellence Award for significant contribution to subject design and online teaching practices.