Research output per year
Research output per year
The University of Western Australia (M428), 35 Stirling Highway,
6009 Perth
Australia
Christine Howitt is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Education at The University of Western Australia. As a scientist turned educator, Christine specialised in teaching early childhood and primary science education. This also reflected her main areas of research: young children’s science learning, early childhood STEM education, science identity, learning in informal contexts, participatory research, and rights of the child. Christine is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and her teaching has been recognised through University, State and National teaching awards. Her books include The Narrative Approach to informed consent: Empowering young children’s rights and meaningful participation, co-authored with Fiona Mayne and published by Routledge in 2022; Science in early childhood (4th edition), co-edited with Coral Campbell and Wendy Jobling and published by Cambridge University Press in 2021; Eyes wide open. Integrated, holistic and flexible science ideas and activities for 3 to 6 year olds, co-authored with Natalie Birrell and Katie Weppner and published by Teaching Solutions in 2021; Planting the seeds of science. A flexible, integrated and engaging resource for teachers of 3 to 8 year olds, co-edited with Elaine Blake and published by the Australian Learning & Teaching Council in 2010; and a 2010 self-published children storybook called Science is everywhere.
Christine was the Deputy Head of School (Research) (2020-2022).
Previoulsy she was the Doctor of Education coordinator (2012-2018) and the Doctor of Philosophy coordinator (2018-2019).
ARC Linkage Grant LP110200756. Christine Howitt and Léonie Rennie. Chief Investigator. Small steps in
science. Developing young children’s science understanding through playgroup incursions. (July 2011-June
2015). $120,000 ARC, $30,000 Scitech, $30,000 Rio Tinto.
UWA Teaching Fellowship. Christine Howitt and Mark Pegrum. Chief Investigator. Student experiences of
iPads as a tool for tertiary learning. (August 2011 – February 2012). $22,000.
Australian Learning and Teaching Council Competitive Grants Scheme. Chief Investigator. Science for early
childhood teacher education students: Collaboration between teacher educators, scientists and engineers.
(July 2008-June 2011). $220,312. Project ID CG8-724.
Curtin Linkage Grant. Barry Fraser and Christine Howitt. Chief Investigator. Catching them young: Evaluating innovative educational programs for stimulating scientific interest and exploration among children under five years old. (2009). $5,000 Scitech and $5,000 Curtin.
CSIRO Education. Léonie Rennie and Christine Howitt. Chief Investigator. Evaluation of Scientists in Schools
Project. (2008-2009). $30,000.
CSIRO Education. Léonie Rennie and Christine Howitt. Chief Investigator. Evaluation of Scientists in Schools
Pilot Project. (2007-2008). $20,000.
2023+: Adjunct Associate Professor, The University of Western Australia
2018-2022: Associate Professor, Education, The University of Western Australia
2011-2017: Senior Lecturer, Education, The University of Western Australia
2007-2010: Senior Lecturer (2010) and Lecturer (2007-2009), Science Education, Science and Mathematics Education Centre, Curtin University
2003-2006: Sessional Lecturer, Education, Curtin University
2000-2003: Lecturer, Curtin College of Higher Education, Kalgoorlie
1996-2001: Lecturer, Environmental Technology, Vocational Training & Education Centre, Curtin, Kalgoorlie
1983-1991: Statistician, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane
Christine’s research focuses on young children's science learning, science identity, learning in informal contexts, participatory research, rights of the child and early childhood STEM education.
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paper › Chapter › peer-review
Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paper › Chapter › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article in specialist publication › peer-review
Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paper › Conference paper › peer-review
Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
Howitt, C. (Investigator 01) & Rennie, L. (Investigator 02)
ARC Australian Research Council , Rio Tinto, Scitech Discovery Centre
1/07/11 → 31/12/16
Project: Research
Howitt, C. (Chief Investigator) & Rennie, L. (Chief Investigator)
ARC Australian Research Council
1/01/11 → 31/12/13
Project: Research
Howitt, C. (Chief Investigator) & Rennie, L. (Chief Investigator)
ARC Australian Research Council
1/01/11 → 31/12/13
Project: Research
Howitt, C. (Consultant)
Activity: Industry and government engagement/consultancy › Submissions to standard setting body
Howitt, C. (Member)
Activity: Memberships › HEA Fellowship
Howitt, C. (Member of editorial board)
Activity: Editorial work or peer review of publications › Editorial activity
Howitt, C. (Associate Editor)
Activity: Editorial work or peer review of publications › Editorial activity
Howitt, C. (Assessor)
Activity: Industry and government engagement/consultancy › Grant review responsibilities