Dr Beverley Webster

DipTeach(Prim), MSc , PhD
Associate Professor University of Hong Kong
Adjunct Research Research Fellow

Contact Information

Tel:

+11 852 2859 2523

E-mail:

bwebster@hkucc.hku.hk

Background

Employment History:

Beverley taught in both primary school and high school for many years in the areas of mathematics, computing and physical education. For three years Beverley owned and operated a small business in England, has been involved in a partnership business in Perth and has operated a small business from home. Beverley returned to University in 1996 and has since completed a Master of Science and a PhD while also lecturing in Research Methodology, Business Statistics, Management and Business & Professional Ethics. Beverley is currently working in the Faculty of Education at the University of Hong Kong, is lecturing in Educational Measurement, Research Methods and Entrepreneurship Education and continues to be involved in SME research as an adjunct with Edith Cowan University. Her research at HKU include classroom learning environments and language learning and analysis of environment data using item response theory.

Specialisation:

Beverley studied at the Australian National University in the area of quantitative research measurement. Her particular expertise is in structural equation modeling and multi level modeling. She has experience in the areas of educational, clinical and management research.

Awards:

2005 - Fellow of the Western Australian Institute for Educational Research.

2004 - Dean's award for Professional Community Engagement. Faculty of Business and Public Management, Edith Cowan University.

2004 - Best New Researcher, Post Doctoral Fellow, Faculty of Business and Public Management, Edith Cowan University.

2002 - Nominated for Vice Chancellors award for excellence. Curtin University of Technology

1999 - Nominated for Post Graduate Supervision award. Edith Cowan University.

1998 - Best paper nomination. National Association of Research in Science Teaching.

Research and Publications

Current Research Area:

Training and SMEs, Educational learning environments, Entrepreneurship education

Recent Research Grants:

2006

Webster, B.J.. $17,230. English language learning environments in higher education. Faculty of Education. University of Hong Kong.

2005

Walker, E. A., Stoney, S & Barrett, R & Webster, B. J. On-line training for small business: Creating a best practice model. ARC Linkage with the West Australian Department of Education and Training. Total budget $671,846. for 3 years.

Walker, E. A., Webster, B.J.., Millsteed, J. L & Hocking, J S. S. $45,000 funding received for ECU- Industry Collaboration Grant with the City of Gosnells for project titled “Adult learning: Human resource skills for small business managers”.

Webster, B.J.., Walker, E. A. & Stoney, S. $45,000 funding received for ECU- Industry Collaboration Grant with the Department of Education and Training for project titled “The appropriateness of current models of on-line training for SMEs.”

Walker, E. A. & Webster, B.J.. $14,750 funding from the City of Joondalup and the City of Wanneroo for project titled “evaluation of the HBBs program”

2004

Walker E. A. Webster, B. J & Burn, J. M. $45,000 funding received for ECU-Industry Collaboration grant with City of Joondalup for project titled “Smart business incubators: the Australian context and the development of a best practice model to assist business services”

Walker, E. A., Webster, B.J. $26,000 funding from the Department of Education & Training for a Pilot Enterprise Growth Programme in conjunction with the City of Wanneroo.

Webster, B.J.. Management competencies in small business owners Small Faculty Grant

Walker, E. A., Webster, B.J. $20,000 funding from the Department of Education & Training for project titled "Assisting local business to recruit and manage young workers”.

Walker, E. A., Webster, B.J. $19,300 funding from the Department of Education & Training for project titled "Small Business-Smart Business Evaluation Project".

2003

Walker, E. A., Webster, B.J. & Saggers, S. $13,800 funding received from the Local Learning & Employment Partnership (North Metro) for project titled “Environmental scan of the current status of education, training and employment in the North West Metro area”.

Walker, E. A., Webster, B.J. & Devine, J. $10,800 funding from The City of Joondalup for project titled “A study into the needs of home-based business in the City of Joondalup and the development and evaluation of a peer mentoring facilitated program”.

Refereed Journal Articles:

2005

Webster, B. J., Walker, E. A. & Barrett, R. (2005) small business and on-line training: who is willing to participate? New Technologies Work and Employment. 20 (3), 248-258.

Webster, B. J, Walker, E. A. & Brown, A. (2005) Small business participation in training activities. Education + Training 47 (8/9), 552-561.

2004

Walker, E. A. & Webster, B.J. (2004). Gender issues in home-based businesses. Women in Management Review

2003

Webster, B. J, Walker, E. A & Schaper, M. (2003). ‘Green’ Small Business Owners: The Impact of Gender on Environmental Management Issues. Small Enterprise Research 11 (2) 63-70.

Webster, B.J., & Fisher, D. L. (2003). School-level environment and student outcomes in mathematics achievement. Learning Environments Research. .6(3). 309-326.

2001

Cameron, D., Marquis, R. & Webster, B.J. (2001). Older adults perceptions, experiences and anxieties with emerging technologies. Australasian Journal on Ageing. 20.3. Supplement 2. September. Freemasons Centre for Research into Aged Care Services.

Haimes, D., & Webster, B.J. (2001). Rural students and graphics calculators in examinations. Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia. 11(1).

Webster, B.J., & Fisher, D.L. (2001). Accounting for variation in science and mathematics achievement: A multilevel analysis of Australian data. School Effectiveness and School Improvement 11(3). 339-360. Swets & Zeitlinger. The Netherlands.

2000

Haimes, D, & Webster, B.J.. (2000). Student perceptions of graphics calculator use in examinations. Australian Senior Mathematics Journal. 14(1)16-23

Conference Papers in Proceeding:

2005

Walker, E. A., Webster, B.J.., Millsteed, J, Hocking, J. & Redmond, J. (2005). A conceptual framework for addressing the current skills shortage: Human resource skills for small business owners. Proceedings of the 18th Annual Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, 25-28th September, Armidale: SEAANZ.

Walker, E. A., Webster, B.J.., Turner, J & Still, L. V. (2005). Business ownership as an employment option for older women. Proceedings of the 18th Annual Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, 25-28th September, Armidale: SEAANZ.

Webster, B.J.. & Walker, E. A. (2005). The success of new business incubation in Australia. Proceedings of the 18th Annual Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, 25-28th September, Armidale: SEAANZ.

Webster, B.J.. (2005). The success of SMEs: interventions to avoid failure. International Conference Global Business in Service. Challenges, Uncertainty and Opportunities Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia 28 July 2005

Webster, B.J.., Walker, E. A. & Turner, J. (2005). Smart training for the older entrepreneur. Proceedings of the 50th World Conference of ICSB, 15-18th June, Washington: ICSB.

2004

Walker, E. A, Devine, J & Webster, B.J.. (2004).Home-based businesses: a positive way for women to engage with the community. Proceedings of the 12th International Women in Leadership Conference, 24-26th November 2003, Fremantle: Edith Cowan University.

Webster, B.J.. & Walker, E. A. (2004). Encouraging SME's participation in training and education: A framework of on-line training. Third International Conference on SME's in a Global Economy, 6 - 7 July 2004, Malaysia.

Webster, B.J.. & Walker, E. A. & Barrett, R (2004). Small business participation in on-line training. Proceedings of the 5th We-bcentre Conference 25-26th November. Perth: Edith Cowan University

Webster, B.J.., & Walker, E. A. (2004). Workforce participation and self-employment for older Australians. Proceedings of the 17th Annual Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, 26-29th September, Brisbane: SEAANZ.

Webster, B.J.., & Walker, E. A. (2004). Exploring the reluctance of small business operators to employ young people. Proceedings of the 17th Annual Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, 26-29th September, Brisbane: SEAANZ.

Webster, B.J.., Walker, E. A. & Burn, J. M. (2004). Creation and growth of small business: A strategic framework of business incubation in Australia. Third International Conference on SME's in a Global Economy, 6 - 7 July 2004, Malaysia.

Webster, B.J.., Walker, E. A. & Dorney, B. (2004). Training and improving productivity in the small business sector. Proceedings of the 17th Annual Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, 26-29th September, Brisbane: SEAANZ.

Webster, B.J.., Walker, E. A. & Schaper, M. (2004). Women business owners and environmental management issues. Proceedings of the 12th International Women in Leadership Conference, 24-26th November 2003, Fremantle: Edith Cowan University.

2003

Webster, B.J., Walker, E., & Schaper, M. (2003). Women business owners and environmental management issues. Paper presented at the twelfth international women in leadership conference. Women leading the way. November 24-26. Perth. Western Australia.

Walker, E., Devine, J., & Webster, B.J.. (2003). Home based businesses: a positive way for women to engage with the community. Paper presented at the twelfth international women in leadership conference. Women leading the way. November 24-26. Perth. Western Australia.

Walker, E., Bode, S., Burn, J., & Webster, B.J.. (2003). Small business and the use of technology: why the low uptake? Paper presented at the 16th Annual Conference of Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand. September 28 - October 1. Ballarat. Australia.

2001

Webster, B.J.. & Fisher, D.L. (2001). A two-step approach to modeling student performance: A methodology that accounts for measurement and structural error. Paper presented at the Australian Association for Research in Education. Fremantle. December 3-6.

Webster, B.J.. & Fisher, D.L. (2001). School-level environment and student outcomes in mathematics achievement. Paper presented at the Australian Association for Research in Education. Fremantle. December 3-6.

2000

Webster, B.J. & Fisher, D. L. (2000). Factors influencing student mathematics achievement: Report on the Third International Mathematics and Science Study. Paper presented at the Australian Association for Research in Education. Sydney. December 2-5.

Webster, B.J.. (1998). Teaching practices, which significantly improve mathematics learning. Paper presented at the 1998 National Conference of the Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia, Alice Springs, Northern Territory. August.

Malone, J., Cavanagh, R., & Webster, B.J. (1997). Choosing or avoiding mathematics at the upper-secondary school level: Some significant factors. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Group of Australasia (MERGA), Auckland, New Zealand 1997.

Reports:

2005

E. A. Walker, B. Webster & J. Turner. (2005). Developing a framework of training for the older small business owner. Perth: Small & Medium Enterprise Research Centre, Edith Cowan University.

2004

E. A. Walker & B. Webster. (2004). Small Business Smart Business. Perth: Small & Medium Enterprise Research Centre, Edith Cowan University.

E. A. Walker & B. Webster. (2004) Small Business Smart Business. Report for Department of Education and Training.

E. A. Walker & B. Webster. & A. Charlton. (2003). Local Learning and Employment Partnership North Metro. Environmental Scan.

R. Marquis, H. Freegard, & B. Webster. (2002). Quality Practice in Aged Care Delivery. Report prepared for the Centre into Research into Aged Care Services. Research conducted with joint funding from the AGEIS group and the Freemasons Centre for Research into aged care Services.