What if every child felt confident, capable, and ready for the future, especially in a world increasingly shaped by AI? This is the question driving the work of Dr Florence Gabriel, an Enterprise Fellow in the School of Education and Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning. Her work focuses not just on what students learn, but on how they think, feel, and regulate their learning. These capabilities are critical in an AI-driven world that demands adaptability, resilience, and independent thinking. A central strand of her research examines mathematics anxiety, showing how students’ emotions shape their learning and informing strategies to build confidence and engagement in mathematics.

Florence works in close collaboration with the South Australian Department for Education on an NHMRC-funded research program. It is currently being trialled in 58 primary schools across the state. This work focuses on self-regulated learning, equipping teachers with practical strategies to help students become more independent learners. It demonstrates how research can drive meaningful change in classrooms and inform system-level improvement.

Dr Gabriel has developed a high-impact publication profile, with more than 40 peer-reviewed publications across leading journals and scholarly book chapters, and over 3,500 citations. This body of work is complemented by a strong track record of commissioned research and policy reports, demonstrating clear translation of research into practice and policy.

Her achievements have attracted over $3.2 million in competitive funding and international recognition, including invitations to present at leading international conferences such as the International Congress of Mathematics, media coverage, and features in outlets such as Times Higher Education. Through her contributions to initiatives with UNESCO and the OECD, she plays an active role in shaping global conversations about education and the future of learning.