Geraldine Townend

Geraldine Townend is a published academic with over a decade of experience in the field of gifted education, having expertise in the area of twice exceptionality, in the School of Education at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia. Her research interests focus on supporting gifted and twice-exceptional students to aspire to their potential in education, which includes the development of positive academic self-concept. Geraldine’s research findings indicate that there are several sociological and psychological influences on academic self-concept, including a social comparison theory, and she is particularly interested in the interaction between teachers and their students. She has also focused on outcomes for pre- and post-graduate teachers’ understandings of diversity in education, including inclusive classroom practices and applications of the National Curriculum. Her university teaching was recognised with the award of Teaching Excellence Commendation.

Publications

The Professional Development Needs of Special Education Teachers Teaching Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Western China
The Professional Development Needs of Special Education Teachers Teaching Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Western China
Chen Han, Therese M. Cumming, Geraldine Townend. © 2023. 19 pages.
Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often require specialised support. This highlights the need for the provision of high-quality professional development to improve...