A Catalyst for Advancing Resilience and Wellbeing in Education
With a PhD from James Cook University and a background in chemistry and physiology, Prof Helen Boon has dedicated her career to advancing science education and promoting community resilience. Her recent research on culturally relevant pedagogy for Indigenous students and ethical sensitivity training for teachers has garnered significant attention and funding from organizations such as the Australian Research Council and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. As a teacher of educational psychology at James Cook University, Prof Boon is passionate about equipping her students with the tools they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
Her current interests are centered around two critical areas: teacher resilience and well-being, and the connection between resilience and ethics. With a global crisis looming in the teaching profession, Professor Boon is committed to exploring ways to support educators and ensure they can continue to make a positive impact on current and future generations. Furthermore, she seeks to address issues at the intersection of ethics and resilience that are often overlooked but have far-reaching implications. Professor Boon's pragmatic approach to research is driven by a desire to provide practical solutions to complex problems.
With her extensive professional background, Professor Helen Boon provides insightful definitions of resilience and well-being. In her own words:
“Resilience refers to a person’s or system’s ability to withstand stresses without losing optimal functioning. Wellbeing is characterized by a person’s sense of eudemonia and the absence of physical, spiritual and metal malaise.”
Professor Helen Boon is an accomplished researcher with a variety of interests and passions beyond academia. When asked about who she would trade places with for a day, she cites David Attenborough or Michael Ondaatje. She admires Attenborough's nature expeditions and would love to experience them firsthand, while Ondaatje's poetic writing style inspires her own writing aspirations. In her free time, Professor Boon enjoys a variety of activities, including crossword puzzles, painting, and Sudoku. She also has a deep love for nature and enjoys spending time in green or blue spaces. As a fun fact, not many people know that Professor Boon has a fondness for cats and ancient trees.
Professor Helen Boon draws inspiration from a variety of thought-provoking quotes, including the one by DRP Marquis: "If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you. If you really make them think, they'll hate you." This quote speaks to the importance of challenging conventional wisdom and encouraging critical thinking, even if it may be uncomfortable or unpopular. As an educator and researcher, Professor Boon strives to engage her students and colleagues in meaningful discussions and debates that push the boundaries of conventional knowledge and spark new ideas.
