Faculty Profiles

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Dr. Kate Melhuish

  • Professor - Mathematics
Portrait of Dr. Kate Melhuish

Biography and education

Dr. Melhuish's primary area of research is related to teaching, learning, and assessment in proof-based mathematics. They have worked on a number instrument development projects, studies of conceptual thinking in modern algebra, and projects aimed at promoting improving proof-based courses with attention to authentic activity and inclusive environments. Dr. Melhuish served as PI on three NSF grants and co-PI on three others.
  • Melhuish, Kathleen Mary (Principal), Lew, Kristen Marie (Co-Principal), Sigley, Robert (Other), Morey, Susan (Supporting), Dawkins, Paul Christian (Co-Principal), Bishop, Jessica Lynn (Supporting). Orchestrating Discussions Around Proof, National Science Foundation, Federal, $299847. (Submitted: May 1, 2018, Funded: November 1, 2018 - October 31, 2022). Grant.
  • Mejía-Ramos, Juan Pablo (Principal), Lew, Kristen Marie (Co-Principal), Melhuish, Kathleen Mary (Co-Principal), Weber, Keith (Co-Principal), Gitomer, Drew (Co-Principal). Developing and Validating Proof Comprehension Tests in Real Analysis, National Science Foundation, Federal, $600000. (Submitted: December 13, 2017, Funded: October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2024). Grant.
  • Melhuish, Kathleen Mary (Principal), Heaton, Ruth (Co-Principal), Thanheiser, Eva (Co-Principal), Strickland, Sharon K (Co-Principal), Sorto, Maria Alejandra (Co-Principal), Ellis, Brittney Marie (Co-Principal). Using Technology to Capture Classroom Interactions: The Design, Validation, and Dissemination of a Formative Assessment of Instruction Tool for Diverse K-8 Mathematics Classrooms, NSF, Federal, $1984657. (Submitted: November 2, 2017, Funded: September 4, 2018 - August 31, 2023). Grant.
  • Melhuish, Kathleen Mary (Co-Principal), Foreman, Linda (Principal), Fredericks, Julie (Co-Principal), Thanheiser, Eva (Co-Principal), Shaughnessy, J.Michael (Co-Principal). Enhancing Mathematics Teaching and Learning in Urban Elementary Schools: A Cluster-Randomized Efficacy Trial of a Novel Professional Development Approach, NSF, Federal, $2488354.00. (Funded: September 1, 2013 - August 31, 2017). Grant.
  • Patterson, Cody Lynn (Principal), Melhuish, Kathleen Mary (Co-Principal), Strickland, Sharon K (Co-Principal), Ellis, Brittney Marie (Co-Principal). MAA OPEN Math, Mathematical Association of America, Institutional (Higher Ed), $12000. (Submitted: October 2024, Funded: May 2025 - December 2025). Grant.
View all grants
  • Czocher, J. A., & Melhuish, K. M. (2024). Attending to Coherence Among Research Questions, Methods, and Claims in Coding Studies. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 55(3), 148–155.
  • Melhuish, K. M., Strickland, S. K., Han, S., & Sorto, M. A. (2024). Why Ask Why? An Analysis of Teachers’ Why-Questions in Elementary and Middle Grade Mathematics Classrooms. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education.
  • Ellis, B. M., Austin, C. K., Hamilton, C. D., Dvarishkis, B. C., & Melhuish, K. M. (n.d.). Examining Inequitable Talk and Perceived Status During Group-Worthy Tasks in an Undergraduate Topology Course. In Proceedings of the 27th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education.
  • Melhuish, K. M., Thanheiser, E., White, A., Rosencrans, B., Foreman, L., Shaughnessy, J. M., … Riffel, A. (2022). The Efficacy of a “Mathematics for All” Professional Development. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 53(4), 307–333.
  • Weber, K., & Melhuish, K. M. (2022). Can We Engage Students in Authentic Mathematical Activity While Embracing Critical Pedagogy? A Commentary on the Tensions Between Disciplinary Activity and Critical Education. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education.
View all scholarly/creative works
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Service Excellence Award. 2022
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Presidential Award for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activities, Assistant Professor/Senior Lecturer/Lecturer rank. 2020
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Presidential Seminar Award. 2020
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Valero Award for Excellence. 2020
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Research Excellence Award. December 2019
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  1. Officer

    RUME

  2. Editorial Review Board Member

    Journal for Research in Mathematics Education

  3. Other

    SUPER in Math

  4. Organizer

    Mathematics Education Seminar

  5. Coordinator / Organizer

    OK-TX RUME Conference

  6. Coordinator / Organizer

    Mentoring & Partnerships for Women in RUME

  7. View all activities