Short Bio

Sunet Grobler is a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Institute for Teacher Education and School Research at Leopold-Franzens-University, Innsbruck, Austria. Her doctoral thesis, titled "Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) and Teacher Education: Global Perspectives for Change," explored global perspectives on quality teacher education. Her master’s thesis focused on "Life Sciences Teachers' Understanding, Application, and Experience of Indigenous Knowledge and Cooperative Learning Before, During, and After a Professional Development Intervention."

Her research interests include the professional development of teachers and teacher educators with an emphasis on teaching and learning methodologies. She focuses on cooperative learning and the integration of artificial intelligence, differentiated instruction and sustainability to promote the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), including fostering inclusion and equity in educational settings.

Professional Experience

• Post-Doctoral Researcher, University of Innsbruck, Austria (October 2024 – present)
• Research Assistant, University of Innsbruck, Austria (October 2020 – October 2024)
• Grade R (Kindergarten) Teacher, Asjassies Pre-Primary School, Potchefstroom, South Africa (January 2018 – September 2020)
• Lecturer, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa (January 2016 – December 2017)
• Assistant Lecturer, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa (January 2015 - July 2015)
• Research Assistant, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa (January 2017 - December 2017)

Additional Professional Activities

• Faculty for Teacher Education – Master’s and PhD Conference Organizing Committee
• Lead for Module 2: Foundations of Educational Science
• JURE Conference – International Organizing Committee
• Institute Intermediate Faculty Representative
• Mentor for Master Students (at ILS)
• Founder and Coordinator of the PhD Networking Group – Faculty for Teacher Education
• Grade R Subject Head

Education

• PhD in Teacher Education, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria (January 2021 – September 2024)
• Master’s Degree in Baccalaureus Educationis in the field of Natural Sciences in Education, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa (January 2016 – October 2017)
• Honours Degree in Baccalaureus Educationis in the field of Natural Sciences in Education, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa (January 2015 – December 2015)
• Bachelor of Education in Senior and Further Education and Training Phase, Majored in Life Sciences and Computer Applications Technology, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa (January 2011 – December 2014)
  • Golden Key International Honour Society Award
• Psychology I–III
  Coursework included: Introduction to Psychology, Social and Community Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Personality Psychology, Positive Psychology, Psychopathology, Research and Psychometrics, Basic Counselling and Ethics, Applied Psychology.
• National Senior Certificate, High School Erasmus, Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa (January 2006 – December 2010)
  • Top 10 Academic Performance Award and Best Performer in Computer Applications Technology 

Recent Further Training and Certification

Digital skills

• Examination and AI
• Accessible PowerPoint Presentations

Professional development

• Professional Conversations with Students for Lecturers
• Career Development – Info Session (LBG Career Centre)
• UN SDGs in University Teaching
• Teaching in Higher Education
• Conducting Assessments for Facilitators
• Supplemental Instruction Leader

Scientific writing

• Writing Science: Writing Workshop for PhD Students
• Academic Literacy: Writing, Publishing, Collaborating

Wellbeing and psychological support

• Resilience and Well-being in Academia for Post-Doc Females
• Myths about and Dealing with Suicidal Behaviour in Others
• Training for Doctoral Students: Realize Your PhD in a Successful, Efficient and Resilient Way

Languages

• German as a Foreign Language – Online Course B2.2
• German as a Foreign Language – Improvement Level I (B1)
• German as a Foreign Language – Conversation (from B1+)
• German as a Foreign Language – Online Course B2.1
• German as a Foreign Language – Basic Level II (A2)
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
• Teaching Subject Content through Medium English