Rate My Professor Sorrel Penn-Edwards

Dr. Sorrel Penn-Edwards is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education and Professional Studies at Griffith University on the Nathan campus in Brisbane, Australia. Born in a small township on the edge of the Rift Valley in Tanganyika (now Tanzania), her formative years were international in character, attending primary schools in Accra (Ghana), Poole (UK), Cootamundra, and Newcastle (NSW), Australia. She possesses extensive academic qualifications, including a PhD, Master of Literature Studies (MLitSt), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Graduate Diploma in Applied Film and Television, Graduate Diploma in Teaching, Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, and Certificate in Postgraduate Supervision. Her career trajectory includes her current position as Senior Lecturer at Griffith University since 2017, a prior role as Lecturer at Charles Sturt University, and an earlier affiliation with Griffith University spanning from 1988 to 2015. Penn-Edwards transitioned from professional roles in educational video and film production, scriptwriting, and camera operation to academia, where she focuses on teacher education.

Penn-Edwards' research interests center on literary studies, video and multimedia production and their pedagogical applications, English and media curriculum, communication, student learning styles, the first-year experience in higher education, and Montessori education. Her scholarly contributions include key publications such as 'Defining work-integrated learning in initial teacher education' (2025), 'The Competencies of an English Teacher: Beginning Student Teachers' Perceptions' (2010), 'Human Factors Affecting the Use of Video Recording Methodology in Qualitative Research' (2012), 'Surface or deep approaches to learning?' (2012, co-authored), 'A fourth generation approach to transition in the first year in higher education: First year in higher education community of practice (FYHECoP)' (2014), 'Computer Aided Phenomenography: The Role of Leximancer Computer Software in Phenomenographic Investigation' (2010), and 'Visual Evidence in Qualitative Research: The Role of Videorecording' (2004). These works have influenced discussions on teacher competencies, qualitative methodologies, and student transitions, with several garnering significant citations. In teaching, she delivers courses in English, literature, media studies, communication, drama, scripting, history of film, and video production to pre-service secondary and primary teachers. Professionally, she serves on the editorial team of the International Journal of Higher Education.