Skip to content

Dr Marthy Watson

Dr Marthy Watson
Name Marthy Watson
Position Lecturer (Curriculum and Pedagogy - Primary Education)
Section School of Education and Creative Arts
Office A216
Location Springfield Campus
Phone +61 7 3470 4550
Extension 4550
Email
Qualifications HighEdDip University Orange Free State , BA(Hons) University of Pretoria , MA University of the Free State , PhD University of Southern Qld
Homepage https://research.usq.edu.au/researcher/80z3q/dr-marthy-watson
The views expressed on staff homepages may not reflect the views of the University.

Biography

Dr Marthy Watson is a lecturer in Curriculum and Pedagogy in the School of Education at the University of Southern Queensland. An arts educator for more than 25 years, she has taught drama, dance, music and visual arts across secondary and primary schools in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Her research expertise lies at the intersection of reflective practice, arts‑based learning, arts integration and learner engagement. Marthy’s work is grounded in a commitment to supporting teachers to confidently embed the arts across the curriculum in ways that strengthen creativity, agency and deep learning. She is also the founder of Creative Arts Circles | Reimagining Arts Education Through Creative Collaboration, a teacher‑led writing platform that provides free, classroom‑ready unit plans and resources for arts educators.

Her research focuses on establishing collaborative partnerships with schools to provide teachers with the support, resources and professional learning necessary to innovate and transform their teaching practices through arts‑based approaches. She is passionate about investigating children’s expressive learning and engagement through the arts, with a particular interest in how creative processes enhance students’ critical thinking, foster active learning and cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves and the world. Through this work, she aims to contribute to the development of effective, engaging and future‑focused arts education programs that empower students to become confident, curious and lifelong learners.

Marthy is also increasingly engaged in research exploring the role of Artificial Intelligence in arts classrooms and the broader implications of emerging technologies for arts education. Her recent collaborative project, undertaken with colleagues across three national universities, examines how teachers are adopting and adapting AI tools in their everyday practice. This work investigates both the opportunities and challenges AI presents for creative learning, teacher identity and curriculum innovation. Marthy’s interest lies in understanding how technology can be harnessed in ways that preserve the integrity of artistic processes while expanding the possibilities for imaginative, expressive and critical engagement.

Across her teaching, research and service, Marthy is committed to advancing arts education that is creative, collaborative and socially purposeful. She continues to advocate for the arts as essential to meaningful learning and works alongside teachers, schools and communities to strengthen arts‑rich pedagogies that inspire confidence, joy and transformative educational experiences.

Research Career


  • English And Literacy Curriculum And Pedagogy (excl. Lote ( 390104 )
  • Secondary Education ( 130106 )
  • Higher Education ( 130103 )
  • Curriculum And Pedagogy Theory And Development ( 390102 )
  • Education ( 130000 )
  • Primary Education (excl. Maori) ( 130105 )
  • Drama ( 360403 )
  • Teacher And Student Wellbeing ( 390412 )
  • Performing Arts ( 360400 )
  • Specialist Studies In Education ( 390400 )
  • Curriculum And Pedagogy ( 390100 )

The arts, arts-based practice and reflectivity, learner engagement, literacy for diverse learners, sustainability and climate change, curriculum and policy,


Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE)
Drama Queensland
The International Society for Education through Art (InSEA)

Teaching


EDR8061: Master of Education Project
EDR8802: Foundation Methods for Research in Education
EDU1100: Introduction to Professional Experience
EDS4250: Literacies Across the Curriculum
EDS2507 /EDS5207: Junior Secondary Arts Curriculum & Pedagogy
EDM3200: Arts Curriculum and Pedagogy 2: Integrating Arts in the Classroom
EDX4150: Transitions in Post-Compulsory Education
EDS4250: Literacies Across the Curriculum


10 Years


25 Years


Director of Initial Teacher Education (ITE)
Professional Experience Convenor

Supervision


  • English And Literacy Curriculum And Pedagogy (excl. Lote ( 390104 )
  • Secondary Education ( 130106 )
  • Higher Education ( 130103 )
  • Curriculum And Pedagogy Theory And Development ( 390102 )
  • Primary Education (excl. Maori) ( 130105 )
  • Drama ( 360403 )
  • Teacher And Student Wellbeing ( 390412 )
  • Performing Arts ( 360400 )
  • Specialist Studies In Education ( 390400 )
  • Curriculum And Pedagogy ( 390100 )