Cathy Stone

Professional Summary: Professor Cathy Stone

Professor Cathy Stone is a distinguished academic and researcher affiliated with the University of Newcastle, Australia. With a focus on equity in higher education, she has made significant contributions to the field of student success, retention, and online learning, particularly for non-traditional and disadvantaged student cohorts.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Stone holds advanced qualifications in education and social work. While specific details of her degrees are not universally documented in public sources, her expertise and career trajectory reflect a strong academic foundation in these areas, complemented by extensive professional experience.

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Her research primarily focuses on:

• Equity and access in higher education
• Student engagement, retention, and success, especially for online and distance learners
• Support mechanisms for first-in-family and non-traditional students
• Policy and practice in open and distance education

Career History and Appointments

Professor Stone has held several significant roles in academia and educational policy, with a focus on improving student outcomes. Key positions include:

• Conjoint Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle, Australia, within the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education (CEEHE)
• Independent Consultant in higher education equity and student success
• Previous roles in student support and policy development at institutions such as Open Universities Australia

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Stone has been recognized for her impactful work in higher education equity. Notable accolades include:

• National Equity Fellow with the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE) (2016), where she conducted influential research on online student success

Key Publications

Professor Stone has authored numerous publications that have shaped discourse on student equity and online learning. Some of her key works include:

• Opportunity through Online Learning: Improving Student Access, Participation and Success in Higher Education (2017) – A seminal report for NCSEHE
• Stone, C., & O’Shea, S. (2019). 'Older, online and first: Recommendations for retention and success' – Published in Australasian Journal of Educational Technology
• Stone, C. (2019). 'Online learning in Australian higher education: Opportunities, challenges and transformations' – Published in Student Success
• Stone, C., & Springer, M. (2019). 'Interactivity, connectedness and “teacher-presence”: Engaging and retaining students online' – Published in Australian Journal of Adult Learning

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Stone’s work has had a profound impact on the field of higher education, particularly in the areas of equity and online learning. Her research has informed institutional policies and practices across Australia, providing evidence-based strategies to improve student retention and success, especially for online and first-in-family students. Her 2017 NCSEHE report is widely cited as a foundational resource for understanding and addressing barriers in online education.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Stone is actively involved in the academic community through various roles and contributions, including:

• Regular presentations and keynote addresses at national and international conferences on higher education equity and online learning
• Contributions to policy discussions and advisory roles in student equity initiatives
• Membership in professional networks focused on open and distance education