I endeavour for my research to connect with the realities of the classroom – ultimately, to be useful and usable by teachers. I am interested in action research in and for music education, and endeavour to contextualise research to inform my own teaching and learning practice.

Journal articles

• coming soon

Journal articles (non-peer-reviewed)

• Bonar, C. M. (2013). Student voice. Independence, 38(2), 18-19.

Thesis

• Bonar, C. M. (2017). Toward meaningful music education in the middle school music classroom: An action research project. Unpublished EdD thesis. Griffith University.

Conference papers (abstract peer-reviewed and published)

• Bonar, C. M. (2011). Are we ready for actions to speak louder than words: A case for action research in music education. Research Conversations – Proceedings of the XXXIIIrd Annual Conference. Australian and New Zealand Association for Research in Music Education, Gold Coast.
• Bonar, C. M. (2011). “What does music mean to you?” Initial dialogues with Year 8 Music students. Research Conversations – Proceedings of the XXXIIIrd Annual Conference. Australian and New Zealand Association for Research in Music Education, Gold Coast.
• Bonar, C. M. (2011). What students really think of Year 8 Music? Making Sound Waves: Diversity, Unity, Equity – Proceedings of the XVIII National Conference. Australian Society for Music Education, Gold Coast.
• Riek, R. M. & Bonar, C. M. (2011). Transitions from primary to secondary in music education: What is being done to smooth out the bumps? Making Sound Waves: Diversity, Unity, Equity – Proceedings of the XVIII National Conference. Australian Society for Music Education, Gold Coast.
• Bonar C. M. (2010). The tensions inherent in the provision of meaningful music education for the middle years. Magnetic Resonance – Proceedings of the XXXIIrd Annual Conference. Australian and New Zealand Association for Research in Music Education, Townsville

Invited presentations and workshops

• Bonar, C. M. (2022, January). ‘Good places to go’ when away from home… [Webinar] Presentation for ASME Queensland Get Set for Senior Music Webinar, Australian Society for Music Education Queensland Chapter, Australia.
• Bonar, C. M. (2020). ‘What we’ve learnt, and what we’re keeping’ [Webinar] Presentation for ASME Queensland Online Learning Webinar, Australian Society for Music Education Queensland Chapter, Australia.
• Bonar, C. M. (2019). Switching on thinking processes . Presentation at St Andrew’s Anglican College, Australia.
• Bonar, C. M. (2018). Integrating making and responding. Presentation for ASME Queensland Curriculum Kick-Start, Australian Society for Music Education Queensland Chapter, Australia.
• Bonar, C. M. (2018). Teachers as researchers. Presentation for St Andrew’s Institute of Learning, Queensland, Australia.
• Bonar, C. M. (2016). Senior assessment: Musicology. Presentation for Emerging Music Teachers’ Network, Brisbane, Australia.
• Bonar, C. M. (2016). Getting to know the Australian Curriculum. Presentation for ASME Queensland Getting to Know the Australian Curriculum, Australian Society for Music Education Queensland Chapter, Australia.
• Bonar, C. M. (2015). Mastering musicology. Presentation for ASME Queensland Musicology Workshop, Australian Society for Music Education Queensland Chapter, Australia.
• Bonar, C. M. (2009). Teaching music musically in the Year 8 classroom. Presentation for the Maryborough Music Conference, Education Queensland, Queensland, Australia.

Media

• coming soon.

Featured in media

• Uzgun, D. (2020). Music’s major viral impact – interview with Deniz Uzgun for LeadershipEd (Term 2, 2020), 50-53.

Grants

• $10,000 – Independent Schools Queensland for a Teacher Researchers21 project that examined pedagogies that promote critical thinking and the engagement of high achieving students (2014-2015)
• $15,000 – Independent Schools Queensland for an action research project within the Literacy and Numeracy Coaching Academy that investigated the development and implementation of oral literacy programs across the secondary school (2013)