People and friendships: Dr Anastasiya Umarova graduates from CRADLE
20 March 2026
Anastasiya completes her PhD journey with CRADLE
Anastasiya’s thesis title is ‘The influence of feedback histories on feedback processes in postgraduate courses‘. Anastasiya was supervised by CRADLE’s Professor David Boud, Professor Phill Dawson, and Dr Jack Walton.
Anastasiya graduated in February 2026 and is now working as a secondary school teacher in Melbourne.
L>R: Xin Liu, Turkan Istencioglu, Anastasiya Umarova and Pearl Kang. Xin, Turkan and Pearl are all current PhD students with CRADLE
We asked Anastasiya to describe the focus of her thesis and provide some reflections and highlights of her study experience.
What was the aim of your research?
This thesis is an explorative qualitative research project that sought to explore the influence of feedback histories on the subsequent feedback practices.
I developed a conceptual framework that included the following concepts:
- feedback as process,
- sociocultural perspective on feedback,
- learning careers, and
- feedback encounters.
My thesis is based on the stories of twelve postgraduate students from an Australian university. The data analysis suggests that students feedback histories were accumulated over time and were not stable but changed as participants gained new feedback experiences. Students’ dispositions to feedback and their actions in feedback practices in postgraduate courses were shaped by prior feedback experiences that took place in a range of formal, non-formal, and informal learning contexts. However, feedback histories seem to have less influence on students’ actions in feedback practices.
The analysis suggested that the current context of higher education might prevail over the students’ past feedback experiences if trust and good personal relationships were built among feedback stakeholders in the current settings. Moreover, students seem to be more active in eliciting feedback information from their feedback network that were developed in the past.
What were the highlights from your PhD journey?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my PhD journey has been the people and experiences that shaped it. Along the way, I formed friendships with fellow PhD candidates and colleagues who provided constant support, inspiration, and collaboration. I also had the opportunity to work with and learn from outstanding researchers whose expertise and mentorship influenced my academic development. My sincere gratitude goes to my supervisors: Rola Ajjawi, Phillip Dawson, David Boud, and Jack Walton. Each of them contributed a unique perspective, guidance, and expertise that enriched my research. I also had the privilege to present my research at national and international conferences. These experiences have been invaluable and have significantly shaped me as a researcher.
Where to from here?
I now work as a secondary school teacher, teaching English and Humanities at a public school in Melbourne. In this role, I apply my knowledge and insights about feedback and try to fill the gap between high school and higher education
Contact Anastasiya
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