Associate ProfessorAshley Edwards

Expertise

Dr Edwards has researched as a comparative endocrinologist in the School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania. Her main interest was in the overlap between ecology and physiology, and the regulatory mechanisms animals employ to successfully negotiate life history characteristics such as reproductive frequency and assessing body condition for reproduction. Ashley worked mainly on the production, regulation and control of reproductive physiology and behaviours, focusing on the reproductive steroids (testosterone, estradiol and progesterone) and the hypothalmic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in vertebrates, especially reptiles. She has extended these interests to include the role of thyroxine and other metabolic hormones in breeding decisions by viviparous reptiles.

Most recently Ashley is undertaking primarily Scholarship of Learning and Teaching research exploring such areas as flexible assessment, inquiry oriented learning and engagement and other aspects of the student perspective on learning. This work investigates students' perceptions of increased autonomy around their learning and assessment.

Teaching awards include: Multiple Teaching Merit Certificates, a VC citation, a Teaching Excellence award, an ALTC national citation

Ashley also works with other staff as an Associate Head of Learning and teaching in the School of Natural Sciences to help other staff to support their students, and to design and implement teaching innovations in their own teaching.