DoctorKate Revell

Kate's research mahi focuses on student engagement in the performing arts, emotional safety, and student agency. She is a passionate action researcher and social constructionist whose work is grounded in collaborative and relational approaches with students, teachers, and communities. Her research is driven by a commitment to working alongside participants to generate meaningful knowledge and create positive social change.

Before entering higher education, Kate taught in primary and secondary schools for 26 years as both a generalist primary teacher and a specialist performing arts teacher. She continues to work closely with schools through research partnerships and professional engagement, ensuring that her teaching and research remain current, relevant, and informed by practice.

As a drama educator, Kate is passionate about finding ways to bring drama into everyday learning, particularly through process drama and drama for learning. She also practises what she teaches through her ongoing involvement in the arts. Her creative pursuits include improvisation, clowning, filmmaking, orchestral performance (flute and violin), and contemporary dance. These experiences continue to inform her teaching, research, and understanding of the transformative potential of the arts.

An early career researcher, Kate welcomes opportunities to supervise and co-supervise graduate students and to collaborate with colleagues across disciplines. She is a published researcher who regularly presents at national and international conferences, including BERA, OCIES, NZARE, AARE, and practitioner-focused conferences such as Whakaari Aotearoa Drama New Zealand. Kate welcomes enquiries from postgraduate students interested in performing arts education, arts-based learning, student voice and agency, emotional safety, participatory research, and action research.