Professor Clarence Ng

Professor Clarence Ng is Associate Dean Research, Education and Arts, at the Australian Catholic University. Clarence's current research is in the learning and engagement of diverse student groups with a particular interest in promoting literacy engagement for disadvantaged students. Clarence currently leads an ARC Discovery Project (2023-2026) examining disadvantaged students' writing engagement. 

Selected Publications

Ng, C. (2021). Subject choice and perezhivanie in mathematics: A longitudinal case study. Educational Studies in Mathematics.

Ng, C., Graham, S. Lau, K-L., Liu, X. & Tang, K-Y.  (2021).  Writing motives and writing self-efficacy of Chinese students in Shanghai and Hong Kong: Measurement invariance and multigroup structural equation analyses. International Journal of Educational Research.

Ng, C. (2021). What kind of students persist in science learning in the face of academic challenges? Journal of Research in Science Teaching,58(2), 195-224.

Ng, C. (2020). Mathematics self-schema, motivation and subject choice intention: A multi-phase investigation. Journal of Educational Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000629

Ng, C. (2020). Disadvantaged students&rsquo motivation, aspiration and subject choice in mathematics: A prospective qualitative investigation. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 18, 945-964.

Ng, C. (2019). Shifting the focus from motivated learners to motivating distributed environments: a review of 40 years of published motivation research in Distance Education. Distance Education, 40(4), 469-496.

Ng, C. & Renshaw, P. (2019). Perezhivanie and evolvement of reader identities: A longitudinal case of an Indigenous Australian student. Learning, Culture and Social Interaction, 22, 100310.

Ng, C. & Leicht, A. (2019). "Struggles as engagement" in teacher change: a longitudinal case study of a reading teacher&rsquos changing practices. Teachers and Teaching: Theory & Practice, 25(4), 453-468. 

Ng, C. (2019). Teachers&rsquo professional selves and motivation for continuous professional learning amid education reforms. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 47(2), 118-136.

Ng, C. (2018). Using student voice to promote economically-disadvantaged students&rsquo engagement in reading. Journal of Research in Reading, 41(4), 700-715.

Ng, C., Bartlett, B., Elliott, S. (2018). Empowering engagement: Creating learning opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. New York: Springer.

Research Grants

Ng, C., Renshaw, P. & Wyatt-Smith, C. (2023-2026). Improving disadvantaged students' writing engagement and achievement. ARC Discovery Grant Program - DP230101905, Australian Research Council. $423,000.

Yamazumi, K., Tomizawa, M., Yamada, N., Engestrom, Y. & Ng, C. (2019-2022). Teacher as change agent: An activity-theoretical formative intervention approach to expansive learning. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. ¥10,900,000  (AUD$155,714)

Ng, C., Renshaw, P., Cheung, A., Mak, B. & Graham, S. (2018-2022) (DP180102982). Raising the bar: Promoting higher-order literacy skills for economically-disadvantaged students in the 21st Century. ARC Discovery Grant Program, Australian Research Council. $535,418. 

Ng, C., Graham, S. & Harris, K. (2016-2017). Improving disadvantaged students' reading engagement and reading outcomes using student-voice driven and mastery-focused reading models. Education Horizon Research Grant Scheme. Department of Education, Queensland State Government. $108,536.

Mak, B., Cheung, A., Ng, P., & Ng, C. (2015-2017). Curriculum survey in primary education 2015. Hong Kong Education Bureau, HKSAR Government. HK$1,193,000 (AUD$200,840)

Ng, C., Goos, M., Bahr, N. (DP140101431, 2014-16). Is Maths for me? Understanding and promoting disadvantaged students&rsquo academic aspirations for Mathematics. ARC Discovery Grant Program, Australian Research Council. $349,000.

Ng, C., Wyatt-Smith, C. & Bartlett, B. (DP110104289, 2011-2015) Improving disadvantaged students&rsquo reading outcomes through overcoming reading avoidance and promoting reading engagement. ARC Discovery Grant Program, Australian Research Council. $530,898

Bartlett, B., Ng, C., Wyatt-Smith, C. & McArthur, M. (2014-15). A Study into the current operations of Queensland&rsquos Non-State Special Assistance Schools, State Positive Learning Centres and State Flexi-Schools. Department of Education, Training and Employment, Queensland. (DETE Contract No.: 62435). $349,704.

Research Expertise

• Motivation and learning
• Reading and Reading engagement
• Language learning motivation
• Assessment and motivation
• Educational reforms and change
• Teacher learning and professional development