An experienced researcher with a multi-disciplinary training background, Ning is a Research Fellow in the Education and Disadvantage group at ISSR. Ning has worked on the Student Engagement Research and Analysis Project for the New South Wales Department of Education, as well as a number of other projects funded by the Australian Department of Education, Brisbane Catholic Education, Queensland Department of Education, and NGOs.
Ning has strong expertise in delivering multi-year collaborative research projects, including complex mix-method evaluation projects (e.g., the national evaluation of the Australian Government’s Paid Parental Leave scheme and a follow-up ARC Linkage Project, funded by the Department of Social Services).
Ning has also significantly contributed to a number of projects funded though various research grant schemes, utilising data from LSIC, LSAC, LSAY and HILDA to investigate the impacts of a range of factors (e.g., individual, family, school and community) on disadvantaged students’ outcomes, such as socio-emotional wellbeing, academic achievement, university participation and graduate labour market outcomes.
Ning has specialist expertise in literature review, constructing theoretical framework to guide data analyses, data preparation, management, screening and analysis, which she has applied to great effect in these projects. Ning has a track record of successfully delivering accessible and policy informing documentation. She also specialises in longitudinal data analysis, and has published extensively on school climate, student engagement, and long-term education and labour market outcomes for students from equity groups.
Zajac, Tomasz, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Perales, Francisco and Xiang, Ning (2023). Diverging labour‐market trajectories of Australian graduates from advantaged and disadvantaged social backgrounds: a longitudinal analysis of population‐wide linked administrative data. International Labour Review, 162 (4), 561-585. doi: 10.1111/ilr.12391
ZAJĄC, Tomasz, TOMASZEWSKI, Wojtek, PERALES, Francisco and XIANG, Ning (2023). Disparité des trajectoires professionnelles des diplômés australiens en fonction de leur origine sociale: étude longitudinale à partir de données administratives couplées couvrant l'ensemble de la population. Revue internationale du Travail, 162 (4), 615-643. doi: 10.1111/ilrf.12290
Journal Article: Trayectorias laborales divergentes de los graduados australianos socialmente favorecidos y desfavorecidos. Análisis longitudinal
ZAJĄC, Tomasz, TOMASZEWSKI, Wojtek, PERALES, Francisco and XIANG, Ning (2023). Trayectorias laborales divergentes de los graduados australianos socialmente favorecidos y desfavorecidos. Análisis longitudinal. Revista Internacional del Trabajo, 142 (4), 611-638. doi: 10.1111/ilrs.12291
(2024–2025) Commonwealth Department of Social Services
(2022–2023) New South Wales Department of Education
Review of TTFM parent survey questionnaire
(2022) New South Wales Department of Education
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Perales, Francisco, Xiang, Ning and Kubler, Matthias (2022). Differences in higher education access, participation and outcomes by socioeconomic background: a life course perspective. Family dynamics over the life course: foundations, turning points and outcomes. (pp. 133-155) edited by Janeen Baxter, Jack Lam, Jenny Povey, Rennie Lee and Stephen R. Zubrick. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-12224-8_7
Schools and career guidance key to widening university participation
Tomaszewski, W., Perales, F. and Xiang, N. (2020). Schools and career guidance key to widening university participation. 25 Years of LSAY: Research from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth. (pp. 64-68) edited by Cameron Forrest and Charlotte Scobie. Adelaide, SA, Australia: National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).
Zajac, Tomasz, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Perales, Francisco and Xiang, Ning (2023). Diverging labour‐market trajectories of Australian graduates from advantaged and disadvantaged social backgrounds: a longitudinal analysis of population‐wide linked administrative data. International Labour Review, 162 (4), 561-585. doi: 10.1111/ilr.12391
ZAJĄC, Tomasz, TOMASZEWSKI, Wojtek, PERALES, Francisco and XIANG, Ning (2023). Disparité des trajectoires professionnelles des diplômés australiens en fonction de leur origine sociale: étude longitudinale à partir de données administratives couplées couvrant l'ensemble de la population. Revue internationale du Travail, 162 (4), 615-643. doi: 10.1111/ilrf.12290
ZAJĄC, Tomasz, TOMASZEWSKI, Wojtek, PERALES, Francisco and XIANG, Ning (2023). Trayectorias laborales divergentes de los graduados australianos socialmente favorecidos y desfavorecidos. Análisis longitudinal. Revista Internacional del Trabajo, 142 (4), 611-638. doi: 10.1111/ilrs.12291
Perales, Francisco, Johnstone, Melissa, Xiang, Ning and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2023). Explaining achievement gaps between students from regional and metropolitan areas: accounting for socio-demographic and school climate factors. Australian Journal of Education, 67 (1), 76-93. doi: 10.1177/00049441231152943
School climate, student engagement and academic achievement across school sectors in Australia
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Xiang, Ning and Huang, Yangtao (2023). School climate, student engagement and academic achievement across school sectors in Australia. The Australian Educational Researcher, 1-29. doi: 10.1007/s13384-023-00618-8
Zając, Tomasz, Perales, Francisco, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Xiang, Ning and Zubrick, Stephen R. (2023). Student mental health and dropout from higher education: an analysis of Australian administrative data. Higher Education. doi: 10.1007/s10734-023-01009-9
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Xiang, Ning, Huang, Yangtao, Western, Mark, McCourt, Brianna and McCarthy, Ian (2022). The impact of effective teaching practices on academic achievement when mediated by student engagement: evidence from Australian high schools. Education Sciences, 12 (5) 358, 358. doi: 10.3390/educsci12050358
Perales, Francisco, Xiang, Ning, Hartley, Lisa, Kubler, Matthias and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2021). Understanding access to higher education amongst humanitarian migrants: an analysis of Australian longitudinal survey data. Higher Education, 84 (2), 373-397. doi: 10.1007/s10734-021-00772-x
Xiang, Ning, Whitehouse, Gillian, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Martin, Bill (2021). The benefits and penalties of formal and informal flexible working-time arrangements: evidence from a cohort study of Australian mothers. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 33 (14), 1-22. doi: 10.1080/09585192.2021.1897642
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Huang, Yangtao, Xiang, Ning, Flesken, Anaid, McCourt, Brianna and McCarthy, Ian (2021). Investigating the drivers of higher education expectations among students from low and high socio-economic backgrounds in Australia. International Journal of Educational Research, 109 101822, 101822. doi: 10.1016/j.ijer.2021.101822
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Xiang, Ning and Western, Mark (2020). Student engagement as a mediator of the effects of socio‐economic status on academic performance among secondary school students in Australia. British Educational Research Journal, 46 (3) berj.3599, 610-630. doi: 10.1002/berj.3599
Beyond graduation: socio-economic background and post-University outcomes of Australian graduates
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Perales, Francisco, Xiang, Ning and Kubler, Matthias (2019). Beyond graduation: socio-economic background and post-University outcomes of Australian graduates. Research in Higher Education, 62 (1), 26-44. doi: 10.1007/s11162-019-09578-4
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Perales, Francisco and Xiang, Ning (2017). Career Guidance, school experiences and the university participation of young people from low socio-economic backgrounds. International Journal of Educational Research, 85, 11-23. doi: 10.1016/j.ijer.2017.06.003
Timing of return to work and breastfeeding in Australia
Xiang, Ning, Zadoroznyj, Maria, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Martin, Bill (2016). Timing of return to work and breastfeeding in Australia. Pediatrics, 137 (6) e20153883, e20153883-e20153883. doi: 10.1542/peds.2015-3883
The Australian retirement income system: structure, effects and future
Martin, Bill and Xiang, Ning (2015). The Australian retirement income system: structure, effects and future. Work, Aging and Retirement, 1 (2), 133-143. doi: 10.1093/workar/wav003
School climate, student engagement and achievement across school sectors in Australia
Huang, Y., Xiang, N. and Tomaszewski, W. (2019). School climate, student engagement and achievement across school sectors in Australia. Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 1-5 December 2019.
Tomaszewski, W., Perales, F., Rampino, T., Xiang, N., Kubler, M. and Western, M. (2017). The Role of Career Guidance in Addressing Barriers to University Participation among Low-SES Students. International Life Course Conference, Sydney, Australia, 24-26 October 2017.
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Xiang, Ning, Western, Mark and Rampino, Tina (2016). Socio-economic background, student engagement and academic achievement among secondary school students in Australia. ISA RC28 Meeting, Singapore, 26-28 May 2016.
Fielding, K. S., Masser, B. and Xiang, N. (2008). Just because you lead us, it doesn't mean we have to like you: The challenge of being an anti-normative leader. 37th Annual Meeting of Australasian Social Psychologists, Wellingon, New Zealand, 27-30 March 2008. doi: 10.1080/00049530802385533
Childhood Builders – Operationalising Resilience Frames and Tools Evidence Review Report
McDaid, Lisa, Edmed, Shannon, Maturi, Jennifer and Xiang, Ning (2023). Childhood Builders – Operationalising Resilience Frames and Tools Evidence Review Report. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: ISSR.
Huang, Yanshu, Xiang, Ning, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Rankin, Peter (2023). The impact of explicit teaching practices on academic achievement when mediated by student engagement. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Ning Xiang, Melissa Johnstone, Wojtek Tomaszewski, Katelyn Barney, Tracey Bunda and Sandra Phillips (2022). School-climate factors and long-term outcomes of Indigenous students, students from low socio-economic backgrounds, and students from regional areas: Novel evidence from three Australian cohort studies. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Investigating the construct of student well-being and its drivers among NSW public school students
Huang, Yanshu, Xiang, Ning, Rankin, Peter and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2022). Investigating the construct of student well-being and its drivers among NSW public school students. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Review of TTFM parent survey questionnaire
Rankin, Peter, Xiang, Ning, Huang, Yanshu and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2022). Review of TTFM parent survey questionnaire. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Zając, Tomasz, Perales, Francisco, Xiang, Ning, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Zubrick, Stephen R. (2022). Investigating the relevance of mental health for the current equity groups framework: an analysis of multi-agency linked-administrative data. Perth, WA, Australia: National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education.
Zając, Tomasz, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Perales, Francisco and Xiang, Ning (2021). Diverging Labour-Market Trajectories of Australian Graduates from Advantaged and Disadvantaged Social Backgrounds: A Longitudinal Analysis of Population-Wide Linked Administrative Data. LCC Working Paper Series. 2021-21. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane.
Xiang, Ning, Perales, Francisco and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2021). Sense of belonging at school in Australia: The relevance of student, school, family, and community factors, prepared for the NSW Department of Education. Brisbane: Institute for Social Science Research.
Drivers of attendance - Mediation analysis, Report prepared for the NSW Department of Education
Rankin, Peter, Xiang, Ning and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2021). Drivers of attendance - Mediation analysis, Report prepared for the NSW Department of Education. Brisbane: Institute for Social Science Research.
Drivers of attendance report, prepared for the NSW Department of Education
Xiang, Ning, Rankin, Peter and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2021). Drivers of attendance report, prepared for the NSW Department of Education. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Lisa McDaid, Jenny Povey, Wojtek Tomaszewski, Anne Cleary, Stefanie Plage, Steffi Cook, Ning Xiang, Tomasz Zajac, Tyrone Ridgway and Mark Western (2021). Pillar 2 Report: What do children, young people and families say about needs, and impact of COVID-19?. St Lucia: ISSR.
Mid-term post-graduation outcomes of bachelor’s degree holders. Implications for equity policy
Zajac, Tomasz, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Perales, Francisco and Xiang, Ning (2021). Mid-term post-graduation outcomes of bachelor’s degree holders. Implications for equity policy. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Xiang, N., Perales, F., Johnstone, M. and Tomaszewski, W. (2021). School-level factors improving outcomes for regional, rural and remote students: evidence from two cohort studies. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Perales, Francisco (Paco) , Xiang, Ning , Hartley, Lisa, Kubler, Matthias and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2020). Understanding access to higher education amongst humanitarian migrants: a longitudinal analysis of Australian survey data. LCC Working Paper Series. 2020-31. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
Investigating the effects of cumulative factors of disadvantage: Final report
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Kubler, Matthias, Perales, Francisco, Clague, Denise, Xiang, Ning and Johnstone, Melissa (2020). Investigating the effects of cumulative factors of disadvantage: Final report. Brisbane, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Young Achievers Program - future directions
Kubler, Matthias, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Western, Mark, Johnstone, Melissa and Xiang, Ning (2020). Young Achievers Program - future directions. Brisbane, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Transitions out of tertiary education and equity
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Perales, Francisco, Xiang, Ning, Zając, Tomasz, Tran, Nam and Clague, Denise (2020). Transitions out of tertiary education and equity. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Transition costs: improving young people's career choices and post-school pathways
Cardak, Buly, Lin, Jaslene, Kubler, Matthias, Polidano, Cain, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Xiang, Ning (2020). Transition costs: improving young people's career choices and post-school pathways. Brisbane, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Xiang, Ning, Kubler, Matthias, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Vaithianathan, Rhema, Western, Mark, Staton, Sally, Thorpe, Karen and Johnstone, Melissa (2020). Learning through COVID-19: maximising educational outcomes for Australia’s children and young people experiencing disadvantage - - Pillar 1: Technical Supporting Report 7 of 7. St Lucia, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Huang, Yangtao and Xiang, Ning (2019). Investigating HE Expectations and Engagement of Low-SES Students. Report prepared for the NSW Department of Education. Brisbane: Institute for Social Science Research.
Beyond graduation: socio-economic background and post-university outcomes of Australian graduates
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Perales, Francisco, Xiang, Ning and Kubler, Matthias (2018). Beyond graduation: socio-economic background and post-university outcomes of Australian graduates. LCC Working Paper Series. 2018-22. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
Business, economics and law graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data
Kubler, Matthias, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Xiang, Ning (2018). Business, economics and law graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: ISSR.
Kubler, Matthias, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Xiang, Ning (2018). Engineering, architecture and information technology graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: ISSR.
Kubler, Matthias, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Xiang, Ning (2018). Health and behavioural sciences graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: ISSR.
Xiang, Ning, Kubler, Matthias and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2018). Labour market destinations and outcomes of Business, Economics and Law graduates: what the Graduate Outcomes Survey can tell us. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Xiang, Ning, Kubler, Matthias and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2018). Labour market destinations and outcomes of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology graduates: what the Graduate Outcomes Survey can tell us. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Xiang, Ning, Kubler, Matthias and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2018). Labour market destinations and outcomes of Health and Behavioural Sciences graduates: what the Graduate Outcomes Survey can tell us. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Xiang, Ning, Kubler, Matthias and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2018). Labour market destinations and outcomes of Medicine graduates: what the Graduate Outcomes Survey can tell us. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Xiang, Ning, Kubler, Matthias and Tomaszewski, Wojtek (2018). Labour market destinations and outcomes of Science graduates: what the Graduate Outcomes Survey can tell us. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Medicine graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data
Kubler, Matthias, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Xiang, Ning (2018). Medicine graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: ISSR.
Science graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data
Kubler, Matthias, Tomaszewski, Wojtek and Xiang, Ning (2018). Science graduate employment outcomes in Australia: an analysis of census data. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: ISSR.
Review of identified equity groups
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Kubler, Matthias, Perales, Francisco, Western, Mark, Rampino, Tina and Xiang, Ning (2018). Review of identified equity groups. Brisbane, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Xiang, Ning and Huang, Yangtao (2018). Student engagement research and analysis: Phase 7 report, prepared for the NSW Department of Education. Brisbane: Institute for Social Science Research.
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Huang, Yangtao and Xiang, Ning (2018). Student engagement research and analysis: Phase 6 report, prepared for the NSW Department of Education. Brisbane: Institute for Social Science Research.
HASS Graduate Employment Outcomes in Australia: An Analysis of Census Data
Kubler, M., Xiang, N., Tomaszewski, W. and Perales, F. (2017). HASS Graduate Employment Outcomes in Australia: An Analysis of Census Data.
Labour Market Destinations and Outcomes of HASS Graduates: What the HILDA Survey Can Tell Us
Perales, F., Xiang, N., Tomaszewski, W. and Kubler, M. (2017). Labour Market Destinations and Outcomes of HASS Graduates: What the HILDA Survey Can Tell Us.
Xiang, N., Tomaszewski, W., Perales, F. and Kubler, M. (2017). Labour market Destinations and Outcomes of HASS graduates: What the Graduate Outcomes Survey Can Tell Us.
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Xiang, Ning, Huang, Yangtao , Western, Mark and Bolano, D. (2017). NSW Student Engagement Research and Analysis: Phase 5 Report, prepared for the NSW Department of Education and Communities. Brisbane: Institute for Social Science Research.
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Huang, Yangtao, Xiang, Ning, Western, Mark and Bolano, D. (2017). NSW Student Engagement Research and Analysis: Phase 4 Report, prepared for the NSW Department of Education and Communities. Brisbane: Institute for Social Science Research.
Millennium Mums Report, waves 1-5
Hewitt, Belinda, Baird, Marian, Baxter, Janeen, Brady, Michelle, Coles, Laetitia, Dickenson, Jane, Strazdins, Lyndall, Whitehouse, Gillian, Xiang, Ning and Yerkes, Mara (2017). Millennium Mums Report, waves 1-5. Indooroopilly, QLD, Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Xiang, Ning, Huang, Yangtao, Western, Mark, Bolano, D. and Rampino, T. (2017). NSW Student Engagement Research and Analysis: Phase 3 Report, prepared for the NSW Department of Education and Communities. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Perales, Francisco and Xiang, Ning (2017). School Experiences, Career Guidance, and the University Participation of Young People from Three Equity Groups in Australia. St Lucia QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Perales, Francisco and Xiang, Ning (2016). Career guidance, school experiences and the university participation of young people from equity groups. LCC Working Paper Series. 2016-27. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland.
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Xiang, Ning, Huang, Yangtao, Western, Mark and Bolano, D. (2016). NSW Student Engagement Research and Analysis: Phase 2 Report, prepared for the NSW Department of Education and Communities. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Western, Mark, Xiang, Ning, Bolano, D., Huang, Yangtao, Rampino, T. and Haynes, M. (2016). NSW Student Engagement Research and Analysis: Phase 1 Report, prepared for the NSW Department of Education and Communities. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Martin, Bill, Baird, Marian, Brady, Michelle, Broadway, Barbara, Hewitt, Belinda, Kalb, Guyonne, Strazdins, Lyndall, Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Zadoroznyj, Maria, Baxter, Janeen, Chen, Rachael, Foley, Meraiah, McVicar, Duncan, Whitehouse, Gillian and Xiang, Ning (2014). PPL evaluation: Final report. ISSR10012 and ISSR 10333 Brisbane, QLD Australia: Institute for Social Science Research.
Paid parental leave evaluation: Phase 2 report
Martin, Bill, Yerkes, Mara, Hewitt, Belinda, Baird, M., Jones, Andrew Eric, Rose, Emily, Rose, Judith, Davis, K., Coles, Laetitia and Xiang, Ning (2013). Paid parental leave evaluation: Phase 2 report. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Developing an effective homelessness workforce
Martin, Bill, Phillips, Rhonda and Xiang, Ning (2012). Developing an effective homelessness workforce. St Lucia, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland, The Institute for Social Science Research.
Paid parental leave evaluation: Phase 1
Martin, Bill, Hewitt, Belinda, Baird, Marian, Baxter, Janeen, Heron, Alexandra, Whitehouse, Gillian, Zadoroznyj, Maria, Xiang, Ning, Broom, Dorothy, Connelly, Luke, Jones, Andrew, Kalb, Guyonne, McVicar, Duncan, Strazdins, Lyndall, Walter, Margaret, Western, Mark and Wooden, Mark (2012). Paid parental leave evaluation: Phase 1. Occasional Papers Series; 44 Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Ning Xiang (2009). Just because you lead us, it doesn't mean we have to like you: How can anti-norm leaders mitigate negative evaluations from their group members?. PhD Thesis, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland.
(2024–2025) Commonwealth Department of Social Services
(2022–2023) New South Wales Department of Education
Review of TTFM parent survey questionnaire
(2022) New South Wales Department of Education
(2022) Education Horizon
(2022) Queensland Department of Education
(2021) New South Wales Department of Education
(2021) Education Horizon
(2021) New South Wales Department of Education
Investigating Higher Education expectations and engagement of low-SES students
(2019–2020) New South Wales Department of Education
Investigating the effects of cumulative factors of disadvantage
(2019–2020) Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program
Young Achievers Program Evaluation
(2018–2020) UQ Foundation
(2018–2019) Archdiocese of Brisbane Catholic Education
Identifying school engagement practices facilitating university participation of equity students
(2016–2017) Curtin University of Technology
Widening Participation Longitudinal Study - scoping study
(2014–2016) Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program
VET Knowledge Infrastructure in Australia
(2012–2013) UniQuest Pty Ltd