Shaikah Al-Taneiji | Education | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Shaikah Al-Taneiji | Education | Best Researcher Award

UAE University | United Arab Emirates

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Shaikah Al-Taneiji’s academic journey is deeply rooted in her passion for educational leadership and innovation. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Innovation from the University of Colorado at Denver, following an M.Sc. in Educational Administration from Oklahoma State University. Her academic foundation was laid at the United Arab Emirates University, where she completed her B.A. in Public Administration. These milestones shaped her philosophy of nurturing leadership and lifelong learning in diverse educational landscapes.

💼 Professional Endeavors

With a career spanning over two decades, Dr. Al-Taneiji has held pivotal academic and administrative roles. She served as Director of both the Academic Personnel Office and the National Faculty Recruitment and Development Office. Her leadership extended to chairing the Department of Foundations of Education across multiple terms, and earlier, serving as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. From 2019 to 2023, she brought her expertise into the political sphere as a member of the Federal National Council of the UAE, contributing to national education policy discourse.

📚 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Al-Taneiji’s scholarship is anchored in leadership development, teacher well-being, learning communities, and expatriate teacher experiences. Her research delves into the nuances of teacher satisfaction, ethical leadership, and educational leadership practices in the UAE. Noteworthy publications include studies on expatriate educators, transcendental leadership, and roadblocks to teacher leadership. She has presented at major international conferences in Tokyo and Barcelona, sharing insights into the evolving dynamics of education in the UAE.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Her work has garnered both regional and international acclaim. Dr. Al-Taneiji was honored by the Arab Women Forum in 2020 for her innovative contributions to educational leadership. In 2023, she was recognized as an Emirati Women Achiever by startAD and Tamkeen, a testament to her influence in shaping education policy and practice.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Al-Taneiji’s influence transcends academia through extensive community and professional service. She has actively contributed to national awards such as the Khalifa Award for Education and the Hamdan Bin Rashid Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences. As a trainer in the Leadership Upskilling Project, she has helped prepare school leaders for licensure. Her role as a manuscript reviewer and peer reviewer for esteemed journals and conferences highlights her standing in the academic community.

🧭 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Dr. Shaikah Al-Taneiji is poised to continue shaping educational leadership in the UAE and beyond. Through her teaching at UAE University and Abu Dhabi University, she equips future educators and administrators with critical thinking and cultural understanding. Her ongoing research and advisory roles ensure that her legacy as a scholar, mentor, and policymaker will remain impactful for generations to come.

Publications


📄 Schools across borders: Expatriate teachers in the United Arab Emirates: Navigating personal, school, and external factors

Author:
Shaikah Al-Taneiji

Journal:
International Journal of Educational Research

Year:
2025


📄 Transcendental Leadership Among Academic Department Heads and Its Relationship with Faculty Members' Self-Management Level

Authors:
Bataineh, O., Al-Zoubi, Z., Bany Issa, H., Al-Alwan, A., Qablan, A., Alkaabi, A., Al-Taneiji, S., & Alhosani, M.

Journal:
Educational Process: International Journal

Year:
2025


📄 Teacher satisfaction in Abu Dhabi public schools: What the numbers did not say

Authors:
Ibrahim, A., & Al-Taneiji, S.

Journal:
Issues in Educational Research

Year:
2019


📄 Practices of and roadblocks to teacher leadership in the United Arab Emirates’ schools

Authors:
Al-Taneiji, S., & Ibrahim, A.

Journal:
International Education Studies

Year:
2017


João Pedro Da Ponte | Social Sciences | Lifetime Achievement Award

Prof. Dr. João Pedro Da Ponte | Social Sciences | Lifetime Achievement Award

Institute of Education of the University of Lisbon | Portugal

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. João Pedro da Ponte embarked on his academic journey with a Licenciatura in Mathematics from the University of Lisbon in 1979. He later earned a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Georgia, USA, in 1984, graduating with a perfect GPA of 4.0. His academic career was further solidified with the title of Professor Agregado in Education in 1995 at the University of Lisbon.

👨‍🏫 Professional Endeavors

Prof. da Ponte has had a long and distinguished teaching career. Starting as a high school math teacher in 1975, he moved into academia, serving in various roles at the University of Lisbon:

  •  ➤ Full Professor (2002–2023) at the Faculty of Sciences and later at the Institute of Education.

  •  ➤ Emeritus Professor (2023–Present) at the Institute of Education, University of Lisbon.

He was also a visiting professor at several prestigious universities, including UNICAMP, UFMG, UFPR (Brazil), the University of Granada and Badajoz (Spain), and the University of Georgia (USA).

🧠 Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. da Ponte’s academic focus revolves around mathematics education, teacher training, and lesson study methodologies. His research has deeply explored:

  •  ➤ Mathematical reasoning

  •  ➤ Didactics of mathematics

  •  ➤ Teacher professional development

  •  ➤ Collaborative learning and lesson study

He has coordinated and participated in over a dozen national and international research projects, including ERASMUS+ LIFT, REASON, and EDUCATE, contributing substantially to European education reform and innovation in teaching practices.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Prof. da Ponte's outstanding work has been widely recognized:

  •  ➤ Scientific Award from the University of Lisbon in Education Sciences (2019)

  •  ➤ Fulbright Fellowship (1991) for postdoctoral research

  •  ➤ JNICT Fellowship (1982–84) for his doctoral studies in the United States

His influence extends into editorial roles for journals such as:

  •  ➤ Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education

  •  ➤ Quadrante

  •  ➤ Zetetiké

  •  ➤ BOLEMA

He is also a prolific author with dozens of peer-reviewed publications and book chapters to his name.

🌍 Impact and Influence

His leadership shaped the academic direction of the University of Lisbon’s Institute of Education, where he served as Director, President of the Scientific Council, and coordinator of research and master’s programs. Internationally, he played a vital role in shaping mathematics education policies and teacher training standards across Europe and Latin America. Prof. da Ponte has mentored countless educators and researchers, establishing a legacy of scholarly excellence and collaborative learning culture.

🧭 Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. João Pedro da Ponte’s lifelong dedication continues through his emeritus position and ongoing involvement in EU-funded education projects. His innovative work on lesson study, teacher reflection, and mathematics didactics continues to inspire a new generation of educators and researchers. With his contributions bridging research and classroom practice, he remains a guiding light in transforming education for the 21st century.

Publications


📝  Introducing Exploratory Teaching in Preservice Teacher Education Through Lesson Study

Authors: Nicole Duarte, João Pedro da Ponte, Filipa Faria
Journal: Education Sciences
Year: 2025


📝  Building Didactic Knowledge from Reflection in Lesson Studies

Authors: Gorete Fonseca, João Pedro da Ponte
Journal: International Journal for Lesson & Learning Studies
Year: 2025


📝  From Teacher Surplus to Teacher Shortage and Its Effects on Teacher Education: The Portuguese Case

Authors: Maria Assunção Flores, Hélia Oliveira, João Pedro da Ponte
Journal: European Journal of Teacher Education
Year: 2025


📝  “É só aplicar a fórmula: Δ = b² - 4ac”

Authors: Klinger Teodoro Ciríaco, Maria Raquel Miotto Morelatti, João Pedro da Ponte
Journal: Revista e-Curriculum
Year: 2024


📝  Uso da Linguagem Algébrica com Compreensão: Uma Experiência de Ensino Baseada no Raciocínio Matemático

Authors: Kelly Aguiar, João Pedro da Ponte, Marisa Quaresma
Journal: Educación Matemática
Year: 2024


Casey Mainsbridge | Education | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Casey Mainsbridge | Education | Best Researcher Award

University of New England | Australia

Author Profile

Scopus

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Casey Mainsbridge embarked on his academic journey at the University of Tasmania, where he earned a Bachelor of Human Movement Studies in 1999. His passion for education led him to pursue a Bachelor of Education (In-Service with Honours), which he completed in 2005. Demonstrating a commitment to advancing his expertise, Dr. Mainsbridge achieved his PhD in December 2016, focusing on the effects of workplace interventions on the health of desk-based employees. This strong foundation in both human movement and education has been pivotal in shaping his multifaceted career.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Mainsbridge's professional career is marked by his extensive roles in academia and sports coaching. Since 2022, he has been serving as a Senior Lecturer in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education at the University of New England. Prior to this, he dedicated over 17 years to the University of Tasmania, where he played a key role in delivering and coordinating various education programs. Beyond academia, Dr. Mainsbridge has made significant contributions to the sports community as a Fitness and Strength Conditioning Trainer for the Launceston Football Club and as an Accredited Triathlon Australia Coach. His leadership extended to managing the Ross Marathons and serving as President of Triathlon Tasmania, showcasing his ability to blend education with practical sports management.

🧠 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Mainsbridge has a prolific research portfolio, with numerous publications spanning topics from workplace health interventions to health literacy in education. His work explores the intersection of physical activity, health education, and behavioral science, aiming to improve both individual health outcomes and educational practices. He has successfully secured over $735,000 in grants, supporting projects that range from promoting health literacy in primary schools to developing e-health solutions. Additionally, Dr. Mainsbridge actively supervises PhD candidates, guiding research on topics such as wearable devices in adolescent athletes and the impact of online practicals in education.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Mainsbridge’s dedication and excellence have been recognized through numerous awards. He received the Faculty of Education Research Merit Certificate for Outstanding Contribution to Research multiple times between 2014 and 2016. In 2016, he was honored with the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) Certificate of Excellence in Educational Leadership and the Tasmanian University Union Societies Council Staff Award for exceptional service. His consistent recognition for teaching excellence includes multiple Teaching Merit Certificates from the University of Tasmania, reflecting his unwavering commitment to education and student success.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Mainsbridge has significantly impacted both the academic and athletic communities. As the Director of Student Engagement at the University of New England, he has spearheaded initiatives to enhance student participation and retention, ensuring a supportive and engaging learning environment. His involvement in various committees, such as the Tasmanian Active Living Coalition and Sport Integrity Australia, underscores his influence in shaping health and physical education policies. Through his extensive teaching, he has mentored countless students, fostering their academic and professional growth while promoting health and physical activity as integral components of education.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Dr. Mainsbridge is poised to continue his influential work in both education and health promotion. His ongoing research projects, supported by substantial grants, aim to further explore the benefits of physical activity interventions and health literacy programs. As he takes on new roles such as the Impact and Engagement Coordinator, he will continue to develop strategies that enhance teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes. Dr. Mainsbridge’s legacy is one of dedication to improving public health through education, inspiring future educators and health professionals to adopt innovative practices that promote well-being and active lifestyles.

 

Publications


  • 📝 Article: "Is there education in physical education? A narrative systematic review of research in physical education and learning"
    Authors: Mainsbridge, C.P., Iannucci, C., Pill, S., Williams, J.
    Journal: Sport in Society
    Year: 2024

  • 📝 Article: "Becoming and being a masters athlete: Class, gender, place and the embodied formation of (anti)-ageing moral identities"
    Authors: Hookway, N., Palmer, C., Dwyer, Z., Mainsbridge, C.
    Journal: International Review for the Sociology of Sport
    Year: 2024

  • 📝 Article: "Primary school Physical Education (PE) specialist teachers’ experiences of teaching Health Education and Physical Education"
    Authors: Cruickshank, V., Pill, S., Williams, J., Mainsbridge, C., Nash, R.
    Journal: Curriculum Perspectives
    Year: 2024

  • 📝 Article: "Supporting engagement and retention of online and blended-learning students: A qualitative study from an Australian University"
    Authors: Fan, S., Trimble, A., Kember, D., Masters, J., Mainsbridge, C.
    Journal: Australian Educational Researcher
    Year: 2024

  • 📝 Article: "Breaking the Habit? Identifying Discrete Dimensions of Sitting Automaticity and Their Responsiveness to a Sitting-Reduction Intervention"
    Authors: Gardner, B., Mainsbridge, C.P., Rebar, A.L., O’Brien, J., Pedersen, S.J.
    Journal: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
    Year: 2024

  • 📝 Article: "Influence of short bouts of stair climbing on young adults during prolonged sitting on posture, discomfort, and musculoskeletal performance outcomes: a counterbalanced pilot randomised crossover trial"
    Authors: Raj, A.K., Pedersen, S.J., Mainsbridge, C., Roy, S., Chandrasekaran, B.
    Journal: Ergonomics
    Year: 2024