La Trobe PhD Student Receives Fulbright Honour

Jacqueline Magee will travel to the University of Southern California to collaborate on curriculum development research.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A La Trobe University PhD student and Victorian school teacher, Jacqueline Magee, has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to investigate the role of school curriculum development in teaching and learning and implications for education policy. Magee will travel to the United States to collaborate with researchers at the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education.

Why it matters

The Fulbright Scholarship is a highly competitive program that provides opportunities for academic and cultural exchange between Australia and the United States. Magee's research on curriculum development has the potential to provide valuable insights that could influence education policy and improve teaching and learning outcomes.

The details

While pursuing her PhD full-time, Magee also works as a part-time Humanities teacher at Elevation Secondary College in Craigieburn, Victoria. She has 15 years of experience working in classroom and policy roles across Victoria and the Northern Territory. Her Fulbright research will examine factors influencing primary school teachers' approaches to curriculum development, including the role of curriculum frameworks, resources, and supports.

  • Magee will travel to the United States in 2026 to begin her Fulbright research.
  • The Fulbright Scholarship is for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The players

Jacqueline Magee

A La Trobe University PhD student and part-time Humanities teacher at Elevation Secondary College in Craigieburn, Victoria, with 15 years of experience working in classroom and policy roles.

University of Southern California Rossier School of Education

The institution where Magee will collaborate with researchers during her Fulbright Scholarship.

Dr. Kate O'Connor

Magee's principal PhD supervisor in the School of Education at La Trobe University.

Professor Joanna Barbousas

The Dean of the School of Education and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education, Impact and Innovation at La Trobe University.

Australian-American Fulbright Commission

The organization that offers the Fulbright Scholarship program, which provides academic and cultural exchange opportunities between Australia and the United States.

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What they’re saying

“I'm thrilled to represent La Trobe as part of the 2026-2027 Fulbright cohort. The scholarship feels like the culmination of a rigorous doctoral experience that has been deeply formative for me.”

— Jacqueline Magee, PhD Student (Mirage News)

“My Fulbright research examines factors influencing primary school teachers' approaches to curriculum development across diverse contexts, including the role of curriculum frameworks, resources and supports.”

— Jacqueline Magee, PhD Student (Mirage News)

“Being awarded a Fulbright Scholarship was a huge achievement and recognition of Jacqueline's academic capability and potential to contribute to curriculum research and practice.”

— Dr. Kate O'Connor, Principal PhD Supervisor, School of Education (Mirage News)

“Jacqueline's achievement is testament to her incredible work.”

— Professor Joanna Barbousas, Dean, School of Education and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education, Impact and Innovation (Mirage News)

What’s next

Magee will begin her Fulbright research at the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education in 2026.

The takeaway

The Fulbright Scholarship is a prestigious honor that recognizes Jacqueline Magee's academic excellence and her potential to contribute to important research on curriculum development and education policy. Her work has the opportunity to positively impact teaching and learning outcomes in both Australia and the United States.