.png)
.webp)
Quirky Kid Principal Child Psychologist Dr Kimberley O’Brien presented her doctoral research at the 2009 Australian Association for Research in Education conference in Canberra, contributing to national discussion on children’s social relationships during the transition to secondary school.
Dr O’Brien’s paper, Self esteem and social relationships for students in transition from primary to secondary school, formed part of the AARE Annual Conference Papers.
A Monash University research record maintained by her doctoral supervisor, Associate Professor Helen Watt, lists the paper as presented at the 2009 AARE conference in Canberra and records its conference paper identifier.
Researching a major school transition
The research examined an important developmental period: the move from primary to secondary school. Dr O’Brien’s doctoral work focused on self-esteem and social relationships, including the role that friendship, belonging and social connection can play as children adjust to a new school environment.
The topic closely reflected Quirky Kid’s clinical and educational work with children experiencing friendship difficulties, school transition concerns and changes in confidence.
Presenting within a national education research forum
The 2009 AARE International Education Research Conference was held in Canberra from 29 November to 3 December and brought together researchers working across education, development, policy and practice.
For Quirky Kid, Dr O’Brien’s participation represented an early link between the organisation’s clinical work and formal education research.
It also established a foundation for later professional presentations and publications examining children’s social development, school adjustment and parent-child relationships.
From doctoral research to ongoing practice
Dr O’Brien continued to present this body of work through later psychology and education conferences while completing her PhD through Monash University.
The research remains relevant to Quirky Kid’s work with children, families and schools because transitions in friendships, belonging and self-confidence continue to be common concerns during the move to secondary school.
