Supervisory team: Associate Professor Julie Ballantyne and Dr Graeme Morton AM
Dr Margaret Hoey’s PhD research, When the Song Sounds: Exploring the Impact of Singing-Infused Classrooms in General Primary Education, investigates how singing can enhance primary education.
With over two decades of experience as a primary school music teacher, Dr Hoey’s work highlights the potential of singing to transform classroom environments and foster student engagement and learning.
Reflecting on her PhD journey, Dr Hoey remarked, "Completing a PhD as a part-time student while working full-time as a teacher was an interesting challenge. The School of Music at UQ supported me from the outset, creating a pathway that suited my needs and helping me reach each review milestone".
Dr Hoey conducted her two-year action research project within her own school, an experience she described as "both a challenge and a privilege", enabling her to witness firsthand the transformation process in the classroom. She adds, "Working in my own environment meant I could see the wonders and discomforts of the transformation process in action."
Supervised by Associate Professor Julie Ballantyne from the beginning, Dr Hoey credits her steady guidance and constructive feedback as essential to the authenticity of her work. "Associate Professor Ballantyne allowed my research to evolve gradually and authentically," Dr Hoey explains. "Dr Graeme Morton's critiques ensured I was moving in the right direction, helping me trust the process."
Dr Hoey’s research has already made a significant impact. She presented her findings at the 2023 Social Impact of Music Making (SIMM) conference and the 2024 International Society of Music Education (ISME).
Her PhD candidacy, she notes, "has changed the way I see myself and my work as a teacher." She reflects, "The combination of reflection and rigour uncovered things I didn’t know about myself or my field of research. I now have the confidence to explore the new opportunities my research has revealed and begin designing educational resources based on my findings."
With a career that spans both education and counselling, Dr Hoey holds a Master of Instrumental Music Studies from Griffith University and a Master of Counselling from the Australian Catholic University.
Her PhD is a continuation of her lifelong passion for singing and education, and she is eager to apply her research to develop innovative educational tools.
Dr Hoey’s achievements represent the diverse interests and exceptional talent of the UQ School of Music’s HDR graduates.
As the School continues to foster a vibrant environment for research, creativity, and performance, we celebrate Dr Hoey’s inspiring contributions and look forward to the next chapter of her career.
