Samantha Newell

Dr Samantha Newell

Lecturer

School of Psychology

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Dr Samantha Newell is a Senior Fellow of the HEA and a Lecturer in Psychology at The University of Adelaide. Dr Newell is emerging as a leading voice in GenerativeAI in Higher Education, with publications co-authored with international AI scholars. Her recent national survey explores perceptions of GenerativeAI among Australian University students. Samantha also conducts research into the use of technology to foster rapport and enhance engagement in asynchronous environments. Her other published research explores ways to increase student voice, negotiation, and co-creation of the learning environment.

I am interested in improving practice in the field of psychology education, whilst engaging in SoTL more broadly. I was awarded the prize for best paper at the 2022 ASCILITE conference for my study that explored ways to build rapport in the online learning environment. My recent peer-reviewed publications showcase my dedication to deepening the understanding of the relationship between AI and academic integrity. I am engaged with various scholarly communities, including HERDSA, ASCILITE, and ISSOTL.

 

I am open to a range of research topics, but I predominately use qualitative methods in my research (including Reflexive Thematic Analysis, Qualitative Content Analysis, and Reflexive Content Analysis). 

Potential students are welcome to negotiate a project that seeks to explore innovative practices for educators that design and teach intensive, online psychology courses.  

Potential projects:  

- Exploring innovative ways to develop a sense of community among students 

- Practices that seek to increase engagement in asynchronous learning spaces (including alternatives to discussion boards) 

- Explore ways to increase student negotiation and co-creation of the curriculum 

- Innovative assessment practices that utilise AI as a pedagogical tool 

I predominately utilise qualitative research methods, so these would form the methodological basis for any project that you wish to undertake. 

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2023 - ongoing Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2022 - 2022 Course Coordinator Monash University
    2020 - 2021 Assistant Academic Lead (Academic Developer) for the ADEPT program University of Adelaide

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2023 Research Award Best Conference Paper ASCILITE Australia -
    2023 Teaching Award Australian Psychological Society National Early Career Teaching Award 2023 Australian Psychological Society Australia -
    2020 - Psychology Programs Board University of Adelaide Australia -
    2020 Teaching Award Excellence in Tutoring Award University of Adelaide Australia 500
    2016 Honour Golden Key International Honour Society, University of Adelaide Chapter University of Adelaide Australia -
    2016 Scholarship Zonta Club of Adelaide Honours Scholarship Zonta Club of Adelaide Australia -
    2015 Award Chancellor's Letter of Commendation University of South Australia Australia -
    2015 Teaching Award South Australian Outstanding Science Educator prize South Australian Science Teachers Association (SASTA) Australia -
    2014 Award Chancellor's Letters of Commendation University of South Australia Australia -
    2013 Award University Merit Award University of South Australia Australia -
    2012 Award University Merit Award University of South Australia Australia -
    2012 Honour Golden Key International Honour Society, UniSA Chapter University of South Australia Australia -

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    Korean Can read and understand spoken

  • Research Interests
    Educational Psychology Educational Technology and Computing Higher Education Psychology

2024 ACEN WIL Research Grant

2024 HERDSA Early Career Conference Grant

2024 Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Early Grant Award: Perceptions and use of GenerativeAI among Higher Education undergraduate students

2024 AdvanceHE Global Impact Grant: Utilising asynchronous polling to widen participation and develop a sense of belonging in an online course

2024 Adelaide Education Academy, Learning and Teaching Advancement Grant: Making internships accessible: Exploring the value of individualised flexibility for psychology students experiencing competing demands

2024 Adelaide Education Academy, Learning and Teaching Advancement Grant: Task allocation and the development of interpersonal skills in online group work

2023 APS Teaching Award (Australian Psychological Society)

2023 Echo360 Innovation Grant recipient 

2022 ASCILITE Award for Best Conference Paper  

2018 ASCILITE Bursary for Educational Technology Research

2016 Zonta Club Honours Scholarship

2023 APS Teaching Award (Australian Psychological Society)

I am a Lecturer and Senior HEA Fellow in the School of Psychology (at The University of Adelaide). I undertake a range of teaching and research activities, including the supervision of Honours students, Course Coordinator for the Graduate Diploma in Psychology, member of the Adelaide Education Academy, and a member of the Diversity and Inclusion in Teaching committee. I am interested in improving practice in the field of psychology education, whilst engaging in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning more broadly. 

 

I am eligible to act as primary and co-supervisor for PhD and Masters students. I am open to a range of research topics, but I predominately use qualitative methods in my research (including Reflexive Thematic Analysis, Qualitative Content Analysis, and Reflexive Content Analysis). 

Potential students are welcome to negotiate a project that seeks to explore innovative practices for educators that design and teach intensive, online psychology courses.  

Potential projects:  

- Exploring innovative ways to develop a sense of community among students 

- Practices that seek to increase engagement in asynchronous learning spaces (including alternatives to discussion boards) 

- Explore ways to increase student negotiation and co-creation of the curriculum 

- Innovative assessment practices that utilise AI as a pedagogical tool 

I predominately utilise qualitative research methods, so these would form the methodological basis for any project that you wish to undertake. 

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Exploring student motivations and perceptions towards Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET) systems The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Alivia Gladwin
    2024 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Exploring the experiences of social loafing in group work among online psychology students. The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Olivia Puccini
    2023 - 2023 Principal Supervisor The Silent Struggle: Experiences of Non-native English-Speaking Psychology Students The University of Adelaide - Honours - Tarandeep Kaur

  • Board Memberships
    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2020 - 2020 Representative Psychology Programs Board University of Adelaide Australia
    2013 - 2014 Director Psychology Students' Association University of Adelaide Australia

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2024 - ongoing Member Learning and Teaching Committee (School of Psychology) The University of Adelaide Australia
    2023 - ongoing Member Diversity and Inclusion in Teaching Committee The University of Adelaide Australia
    2020 - ongoing Representative School of Psychology Committee University of Adelaide Australia
    2019 - ongoing Co-Chair ADEPT Community of Practice University of Adelaide Australia
    2018 - ongoing Member eLearning Community of Practice University of Adelaide Australia
    2016 - 2016 Chair Student-Staff Consultative Committee University of Adelaide Australia

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2023 - ongoing Member Adelaide Education Academy Australia

  • Community Engagement
    Date Title Engagement Type Institution Country
    2024 - ongoing Mentors Breakfast Public Community Engagement Kildare College -
    2024 - ongoing PSA Careers Night - invited speaker Public Community Engagement The University of Adelaide -
    2024 - ongoing 2023 Year 12 Psychology Merit Awards Public Community Engagement Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools Australia
    2023 - 2023 HERDSA OESIG Events Lead Scientific Community Engagement HERDSA -
    2014 - 2015 Social Skills and Resilience Group Programs Co-Facilitator/Program Development Scientific Community Engagement Praesidium Psychological Services Australia

  • Editorial Boards
    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2025 - ongoing Consulting Editor Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology APA United States
  • Position: Lecturer
  • Phone: 83133136
  • Email: samantha.newell@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Hughes, floor Level Seven
  • Room: 721
  • Org Unit: Psychology
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