Dr Ghada Nakhla

Profile

Biography

Dr Ghada Nakhla is the Undergraduate Mathematics Programme Leader in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Edge Hill University. She holds a PhD from Lancaster University and teaches across a wide range of mathematical disciplines, including calculus, linear algebra, statistical inference, statistical modelling, discrete mathematics, and data analytics. In addition to her teaching, she supervises MSc and PhD students, supporting the development of future researchers. Her research portfolio is extensive, and she has served as principal investigator on numerous projects. Her primary interests lie in advanced statistical methods, with a particular focus on the applications of the General Linear Model and Structural Equation Modelling in diverse fields. Her scholarship has been published in peer‑reviewed journals, featured as chapters in edited volumes, and presented at conferences.

Beyond statistical modelling, Ghada’s work extends into educational psychology. She has established a strong research agenda examining the role of fear in academic settings, exploring how emotional and psychological dynamics shape student performance. Her studies reveal both the hindering and motivating effects of fear, providing nuanced insights into how emotions influence academic engagement. Through this interdisciplinary approach, Ghada contributes not only to the advancement of quantitative research methods but also to a deeper understanding of the psychological factors that drive teaching, learning, and student success.

Research Interests

Ghada’s research largely focused on the applications of the General Linear Model and Structural Equation Modelling.  She has also used Structural Equation Modelling in a variety of educational contexts and utilised Confirmatory and Exploratory Factor analyses to assess the construct validity of research instruments.

Her research interests also extend to the area of fear in and about education.  Ongoing projects include the influence of fear of failure on students’ academic motivation and engagement as well as students’ evaluation of perceived fear appeals and the association of fear appeals with students’ overall engagement.

Teaching

MRes supervisions:

Student: Matthew Greenhalgh
Dissertation Title: The relationship between Academic Achievement in Mathematics and Socioeconomic Status: A second-order Systematic Review.

Student: Amelia Ernest
Dissertation Title: An Investigation into Mathematics Anxiety in Higher Education Students Using the Abbreviated Maths Anxiety Scale (AMAS).

Student: Callum Stokes
Dissertation Title: An Exploration into Mathematics Anxiety in Undergraduate Trainee Teachers. 

Student: Aiden Parker
Dissertation Title: Predicting Financial Asset Prices with Machine Learning and Sentiment Analysis.

Student: Ajoke Aminat Balogun
Dissertation Title: Enhancing Heart disease Prediction Accuracy through integration of Behavioural Risk factors and Lipoprotein Panels.

MA supervisions:

Student: Peter Winter
Dissertation Title: The Impact of Intervention on the Development of Digital Skills within the Further Education Sector.

Student: Richard Hunt
Dissertation Title: Stereotypes of computer science and the impact on belonging for women in computer science education: A Systematic Review.

PhD supervisions:

Student: Antony James
Dissertation Title: Solving Dynamical Systems using Neural Differential Equations.

Student: Sheetal Harris
Dissertation Title:   Multi-domain and Multi-modal Urdu Fake News Detection: Pro-active Approach to prevent and respond to future Information Warfare.