The Future of Education
Marien Alet Graham
Institution: University of Pretoria
Country: South Africa
Professor Marien Graham, who earned her doctorate in Mathematical Statistics from the University of Pretoria in 2013, has charted a distinguished research trajectory that spans both sole-authored publications and collaborative endeavours with esteemed international and South African scholars. Commencing her career at the University’s Department of Statistics in 2005, she dedicated nearly a decade to honing her statistical expertise. In 2016, driven by a desire to effect change in South Africa’s educational landscape, she transitioned to the Department of Early Childhood Education, where she is currently a Full Professor.
Her research sheds light on critical issues within South Africa’s educational landscape, utilising novel and sophisticated statistical techniques to generate a more comprehensive understanding of how learning and assessment opportunities for students at all levels of the formal education system (early learning, primary, secondary and tertiary) and their overall mental health and well-being can be improved. Prof Graham has made substantial contributions to various fields, including education, healthcare, and social issues. She has published over 120 articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Prof Graham has authored one book and five book chapters, and she serves on the editorial advisory board of Scientific Studies and Research, Series Mathematics and Informatics. She regularly presents her findings at international and South African conferences, has acted as an external examiner for numerous international and South African universities, has been an invited research visitor to several prestigious institutions globally, and has been successful in securing research funding. In terms of supervision, she has one postdoctoral, 15 doctoral and 22 Master’s students to completion. Prof Graham is a Y1-rated researcher with the National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa, and serves on rating committees for the NRF. In terms of academic recognition, she has been awarded the 2023 Research Medal by the Education Association of South Africa.
Areas of expertise: mathematical education, student mental health and well-being, quantitative, large-scale international studies, statistics.
Her research sheds light on critical issues within South Africa’s educational landscape, utilising novel and sophisticated statistical techniques to generate a more comprehensive understanding of how learning and assessment opportunities for students at all levels of the formal education system (early learning, primary, secondary and tertiary) and their overall mental health and well-being can be improved. Prof Graham has made substantial contributions to various fields, including education, healthcare, and social issues. She has published over 120 articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Prof Graham has authored one book and five book chapters, and she serves on the editorial advisory board of Scientific Studies and Research, Series Mathematics and Informatics. She regularly presents her findings at international and South African conferences, has acted as an external examiner for numerous international and South African universities, has been an invited research visitor to several prestigious institutions globally, and has been successful in securing research funding. In terms of supervision, she has one postdoctoral, 15 doctoral and 22 Master’s students to completion. Prof Graham is a Y1-rated researcher with the National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa, and serves on rating committees for the NRF. In terms of academic recognition, she has been awarded the 2023 Research Medal by the Education Association of South Africa.
Areas of expertise: mathematical education, student mental health and well-being, quantitative, large-scale international studies, statistics.
