Dr Ruth Aston
Program Director
School of Education
College of Education, Behavioural and Social Sciences
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD as Principal Supervisor - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Ruth Aston is a Senior Lecturer in Education, and Program Director at the School of Education, College of Education, Behavioural and Social Sciences. Ruth has fifteen years of research experience and is currently working on several evaluations in education and health, including the Evaluation of the Integrated Demonstration Hubs Initiative for the Office for Early Childhood Development South Australia. Ruth holds honorary appointments at the University of Melbourne and the Centre for Adolescent Health at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute.
Ruth has a background in health systems and health services research, program evaluation and educational evaluation. Her early research at the University of Auckland involved working primarily on a three-year national project investigating the workforce effectiveness of health promotion workers in New Zealand. Over 2012 - 2024 at the University of Melbourne, Ruth led national and international education evaluations, working on the Evaluation of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, and three state-wide Education State Initiatives for the Department of Education and Training Victoria. She also led community-based youth-focused health promotion evaluations funded by VicHealth Promotion Foundation. In 2024, Ruth led the development of the Impact Measurement Framework for the Youth Impact Foundation, working across Australian and New Zealand.
Ruth completed her PhD in 2018, focussing on understanding implementation indicators of complex public health interventions based in schools that take action on the social determinants of health. She developed success criteria for articulating success in achieving outcomes in complex multi-level, multi-site interventions in communities aiming to achieve social change in health and education outcomes.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 - ongoing | Honorary Fellow | University of Melbourne |
| 2024 - ongoing | Senior Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| 2022 - 2024 | Senior Lecturer | University of Melbourne |
| 2020 - ongoing | Honorary Fellow | Murdoch Children's Research Institute |
| 2020 - 2022 | Lecturer | University of Melbourne |
| 2018 - 2019 | Research Fellow | University of Melbourne |
| 2017 - 2018 | Consultant | Organisation For Economic Co-Operation and Development |
| 2016 - 2016 | Visiting Scholar | Claremont Graduate University |
| 2016 - 2016 | Research Officer | Effective Change |
| 2015 - 2016 | Research Assistant | Murdoch Children's Research Institute |
| 2012 - 2014 | Senior Projects Manager | University of Melbourne |
| 2009 - 2011 | Research Assistant | University of Auckland |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | Australia | PhD | |
| University of Auckland | New Zealand | BHSC(Hons) |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Cleveland, B., Imms, C., Merrick, N., Imms, W., Aston, R., Candido, C., . . . Graham, L. (2026). Inclusive learning spaces in Australian schools: an exploration of stakeholder participation, perspectives and priorities. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 30(8), 1778-1798. Scopus2 WoS3 |
| 2026 | Fatourehchi, D., Candido, C., Cleveland, B., Merrick, N., Aston, R., & Backhouse, S. (2026). Understanding school Indoor Environmental Quality to support students with disability, neurodivergence, or requiring adjustment: A scoping review. Indoor and Built Environment. |
| 2026 | Aston, R., Button, S., & Skidmore, A. (2026). Developing a Cost-Inclusive Evaluation Framework for a Multi-Brand Youth Wellbeing Foundation. New Directions in Evaluation. |
| 2025 | Aston, R., Linnell, D., & Westine, C. (2025). Editor's notes: Moving research on evaluation forward. New Directions for Evaluation, 2025(187), 7-11. Scopus2 |
| 2025 | Aston, R., Tan, K., Franks, K., & White, S. (2025). Using Research on Evaluation in Oceania: Informing Priorities for Future Research on Evaluation. New Directions for Evaluation, 2025(187), 49-57. Scopus4 |
| 2025 | Bandilovska, A., Aston, R., Sawyer, S., & Raniti, M. (2025). Teacher Readiness for Health Promotion: a Survey of Australian Pre-service Teachers’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Skills. International Journal of Wellbeing, 15(2), 1-32. Scopus4 |
| 2024 | Hyatt, A., Gough, K., Chung, H., Wood, W., Aston, R., Cockwill, J., . . . Krishnasamy, M. (2024). Development of consensus quality indicators for cancer supportive care: a Delphi study and pilot testing. BMC Health Services Research, 24(1), 16 pages. Scopus8 WoS7 |
| 2023 | Smith, L., Aston, R., Clinton, J., & White, M. (2023). Defining the concept of teacher readiness to support student mental health and wellbeing: A scoping review. OSF Preregistration. |
| 2023 | Aston, R., Raniti, M., & Shinde, S. (2023). Editorial: The role of schools in adolescent mental health in low- and middle-income countries: considerations and future directions. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 3 pages. Scopus5 WoS4 |
| 2022 | Hyatt, A., Chung, H., Aston, R., Gough, K., & Krishnasamy, M. (2022). Social return on investment economic evaluation of supportive care for lung cancer patients in acute care settings in Australia. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1), 12 pages. Scopus24 WoS23 |
| 2021 | Sawyer, S. M., Raniti, M., & Aston, R. (2021). Making every school a health-promoting school. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 5(8), 539-540. Scopus80 WoS69 |
| 2020 | Aston, R. (2020). Are Ethics Procedures Keeping Pace with Complex Evaluation Designs? Lessons from Participatory Evaluations. The Evaluator, Summer, 26-27. |
| 2017 | Joyce, A., Dabrowski, A., Aston, R., & Carey, G. (2017). Evaluating for impact: What type of data can assist a health promoting school approach?. Health Promotion International, 32(2), 403-410. Scopus21 WoS19 |
| 2014 | Cairns, K., McLaren, P., Clinton, J., & Aston, R. (2014). Evaluation Methods for Vulnerable Populations: The Case for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. LEARNING COMMUNITIES-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEARNING IN SOCIAL CONTEXTS, 14(14), 166-178. |
| 2001 | Ion-Nedelcu, N., Craciun, D., Pitigoi, D., Popa, M., Hennessey, K., Roure, C., . . . Strebel, P. (2001). Measles elimination: A mass immunization campaign in Romania. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 91(7), 1042-1045. WoS9 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Clinton, J., Aston, R., Almarode, J., & Paproth, H. (2026). Thinking Evaluatively in Education: From Theory to Sustainable Practice. Routledge. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Aston, R., Clinton, J. M., & Paproth, H. (2023). Are Schools as Community Hubs Worth It?. In B. Cleveland, S. Backhouse, P. Chandler, I. McShane, J. M. Clinton, & C. Newton (Eds.), Schools as Community Hubs (pp. 323-334). Springer Nature Singapore. DOI Scopus1 |
| 2023 | Paproth, H., Clinton, J. M., & Aston, R. (2023). The Role of Evaluative Thinking in the Success of Schools as Community Hubs. In B. Cleveland, S. Backhouse, P. Chandler, I. McShane, J. M. Clinton, & C. Newton (Eds.), Schools as Community Hubs (pp. 309-321). Springer Nature Singapore. DOI Scopus7 |
| 2023 | Clinton, J. M., Aston, R., & Paproth, H. (2023). An Evaluation Framework for Schools as Community Hubs. In B. Cleveland, S. Backhouse, P. Chandler, I. McShane, J. M. Clinton, & C. Newton (Eds.), Schools as Community Hubs (pp. 293-308). Springer Nature Singapore. DOI Scopus4 |
| 2023 | Cleveland, B., McShane, I., Chandler, P., Backhouse, S., Aston, R., & Clinton, J. M. (2023). Renewed Aspirations for Schools as Community Hubs. In B. Cleveland, S. Backhouse, P. Chandler, I. McShane, J. M. Clinton, & C. Newton (Eds.), Schools as Community Hubs (pp. 3-10). Springer Nature Singapore. DOI Scopus4 |
| 2022 | Clinton, J., Aston, R., & Dawson, G. (2022). Issues of teacher effectiveness. In R. Tierney, F. Rizvi, & K. Ercikan (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of Education. Elsevier Science. |
| 2022 | Clinton, J., Aston, R., & Dawson, G. (2022). Teaching is influenced by the teacher. In International Encyclopedia of Education Fourth Edition (pp. 287-303). Elsevier. DOI Scopus4 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Hyatt, A., Chung, H., Aston, R., Gough, K., & Krishnasamy, M. (2024). Cancer supportive care for people affected by lung cancer: A social return on investment economic evaluation. In INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER Vol. 155 (pp. 104-105). SWITZERLAND, Geneva: WILEY. |
| 2022 | Hyatt, A., Chung, H., Aston, R., Gough, K., & Krishnasamy, M. (2022). Social return on investment economic evaluation of supportive care for lung cancer patients in acute care settings in Australia. In ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY Vol. 18 (pp. 94-95). WILEY. |
| 2019 | Aston, R. (2019). The Performing Sciences. In Proceedings of the Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (2018). Sydney, Australia. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Ong, J., Backhouse, S., Cleveland, B., Moore, S., Austin, R., Merrick, N., . . . Loh, P. (2025). Inclusive learning spaces for students with neurodiversity, disability or requiring adjustments: Annotated bibliography of a scoping review. DOI |
| 2023 | Aston, R., Paproth, H., Clinton, J., Cleveland, B., McShane, I., Chandler, P., & Backhouse, S. (2023). National Patterns of School Facility Sharing: Report from the Connecting Schools + Communities Survey. The University of Melbourne. DOI |
| 2022 | Aston, R., & Tse, J. (2022). Youth Engagement Evaluation Framework. APO: Analysis and Policy Observatory. |
| 2021 | Aston, R., Bennett, K., Cehun, E., de Nicolás Izquierdo, C., Fridgant, M., Raniti, M., & Sawyer, S. (2021). Making every school a health-promoting school. World Health Organization. |
| 2021 | Raniti, M., Aston, R., Bennett, K., Cehun, E., de Nicolás Izquierdo, C., Fridgant, M., & Sawyer, S. (2021). Making every school a health-promoting school: Global standards and indicators. |
| 2021 | Aston, R., de Nicolás Izquierdo, C., Raniti, M., & Sawyer, S. (2021). Making every school a health-promoting school: Country case studies. |
| 2019 | Clinton, J., Aston, R., Qing, E., & Keamy, K. (2019). Teaching Practice Evaluation Framework. |
| 2018 | Clinton, J., Aston, R., & Quach, J. (2018). Promoting evidence uptake in schools: A review of the key features of research and evidence institutions. DOI |
| 2018 | Clinton, J., Aston, R., & Koelle, M. (2018). Investigating the key characteristics of effective teachers: A systematic review. DOI |
| 2015 | Quach, J., O'Connor, M., Goldfeld, S., Gold, L., Hopkins, D., Beatson, R., & Aston, R. (2015). Approaches to the provision of educational support for children and young people with additional health and developmental needs: Dyslexia. |
| 2015 | Clinton, J., Dinham, S., Savage, G., Aston, R., Dabrowski, A., Gullickson, A., . . . Arbour, G. (2015). Evaluation of the Implementation of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: Final Report. |
| 2013 | Astbury, B., & Aston, R. (2013). Evaluation of ‘enhancing emotional literacy through visual arts’. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Aston, R. (2018). Creating Indicators for Social Change in Public Health. (PhD Thesis). |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Physical health and well-being in children and youth (2018). . Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD). DOI |
Current research projects:
- Evaluation of the Demonstration Integration Hubs, Office for Early Childhood Development SA (Category 2, $220, 000.00)
- Remeasurement of Wellbeing at Moreton Bay College (Category 3, $31, 000.00)
- ARC Linkage Designing Inclusive Learning Spaces (Category 1, $899, 582.00)
Ruth has taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in evaluation design, causal modelling, mixed methods research and program design and development in public health.
She currently supervisors PhD students in wellbeing education, educational evaluation and implementation science in education.
Teaching portfolio:
| Subject | Program | University | AQF Level |
| Mixed Methods Research | Master of Education | Adelaide University; University of Adelaide | 9 |
| Introduction to Wellbeing Education | Master of Education | University of Adelaide | 9 |
| Leading Wellbeing in Education | Master of Education | University of Adelaide | 9 |
| Contemporary Issues in Wellbeing Education | Master of Education | University of Adelaide | 9 |
| Impact Evaluation | Master of Evaluation | University of Melbourne | 9 |
| Applied Research Methodology | Master of Evaluation | University of Melbourne | 9 |
| Evaluation and Value for Money | Master of Evaluation | University of Melbourne | 9 |
| Relating Health and Learning | Breadth course (open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students) | University of Melbourne | 7 |
| Health Program Evaluation | Master of Public Health | University of Melbourne | 9 |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Principal Supervisor | Conceptualising Teacher Wellbeing in Regional Indonesian Schools | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Joeang Salsabiltisa De Side |
| 2025 | Co-Supervisor | Developing an Adaptive and Sustainable AI- Enhanced system for Teacher Development: A Pathway in Promoting Teacher Lifelong Learning | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Ms Sabila Hikmah Syafiulia |
| 2024 | Co-Supervisor | This qualitative study investigates the impact of strength-based teacher professional practices on student literacy to promote wellbeing. The findings aim to address a significant gap in wellbeing education research centering on teacher profession | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Part Time | Mr Adam John Slater |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Location | Program | Supervision Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 - ongoing | Co-Supervisor | Demystifying drivers of modifiable student abseentism | University of Melbourne | - | Doctorate | Full Time | Nadine Rissik |
| 2024 - ongoing | Co-Supervisor | Exploring factors that influence school teachers' readiness to support student mental health and wellbeing | University of Melbourne | - | Higher Doctorate | Full Time | Laura Smith |
| 2024 - ongoing | Co-Supervisor | Applying Implementation Science to Evidence-based Innovations: Case of RTI and Literacy | University of Melbourne | - | Higher Doctorate | Part Time | Beth Shingles |
| 2022 - 2025 | Co-Supervisor | Evaluative thinking in education | University of Melbourne | - | Higher Doctorate | Part Time | Hayley Paproth |
| Date | Role | Board name | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 - ongoing | Director | CHASE Board | Community Health Advancement and Student Engagement | Australia |
| Date | Institution | Department | Organisation Type | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 - ongoing | Victorian Department of Education | Performance and Evaluation Division | Scientific research | Australia |
Connect With Me
External Profiles
Available For Media Comment.