Associate Professor Simon Leonard

Professor of the Learning Sciences UniSA Education Futures

Mawson Lakes Campus (MC2-19)
tel +61 8 830 26313

email Simon.Leonard@unisa.edu.au

Available for media comment
Research Degree Supervisor

About me

Pragmatic adaptive leadership, expansive learning

Simon Leonard is an Associate Professor of STEM Education and the Professorial Lead for Industry Engagement and Career Development at UniSA: Education Futures. His research investigates the use of pragmatic adaptive leadership, and expansive models of teacher professional learning to enable the scalable and sustainable application of the science of learning in schools. Simon has been a CI on over 20 industry-linked research projects with a combined budget of over $9 million. His professional roles have included Head of School of Teacher Education, Academic Coordinator for Indigenous Higher Education Pathways, and Head of Senior School at a large regional secondary school.

Simon is a member of C3L — the Centre for Change and... Read more

UniSA Education Futures

Focused on developing education professionals, UniSA Education Futures contributes to innovation in education practice through quality teaching, learning and research excellence.

Tweets by @UniversitySA

Orcid
Scopus

About me

In the media

Date	Title
23/06/2023	Every school can be great - ABC Regional , https://www.abc.net.au/northandwest/programs/mornings/sa-mornings/102492750
16/06/2023	Thinking about a micro-credential - The Conversation, https://theconversation.com/thinking-about-a-microcredential-course-4-things-to-consider-first-207619

Research

Research focus

Specialist Studies in Education
Curriculum and Pedagogy
Education Systems
Education
Policy and Administration

Research

Outputs

Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID or Scopus

Open access indicates that an output is open access.

Highlights

Year	Output
2022	Fowler, S, Cutting, C, Kennedy, J, Leonard, SN, Gabriel, F & Jaeschke, W 2022, 'Technology enhanced learning environments and the potential for enhancing spatial reasoning: a mixed methods study', Mathematics Education Research Journal, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 887-910. Open access 12 7 3
2021	Woolcott, G, Leonard, S, Scott, A, Chamberlain, D & Keast, R 2021, 'Partnered research and emergent variation: developing a set of characteristics for identifying complexity in higher education partnerships', Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 91-109. Open access 9 6
2018	Leonard, SN & Fitzgerald, RN 2018, 'Holographic learning: A mixed reality trial of Microsoft HoloLens in an Australian secondary school', Research in Learning Technology, vol. 26, article no. 2160, pp. 1-12. Open access 37 19 4
2016	Leonard, SN & Roberts, P 2016, 'No time to think: policy, pedagogy and professional learning', Journal of Education Policy, vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 142-160. 11 9 1
2012	Leonard, SN 2012, 'Professional conversations: mentor teachers' theories-in-use using the Australian national professional standards for teachers', Australian Journal of Teacher Education, vol. 37, no. 12. pp. 46-62. Open access 17

Chapters

Year	Output
2021	Leonard, SN & Westwell, M 2021, 'Translating the science of learning through co-design: working with teachers to prioritise executive functioning skills in mathematics education', in A Carroll, R Cunnington & A Nugent (eds), Learning under the lens: applying findings from the science of learning to the classroom, Routledge, UK, ch. 13, pp. 185-201. Open access 1
2020	Leonard, SN 2020, 'Mixed reality and embodied cognition', in M Peters & R Heraud (eds), Encyclopedia of Educational Innovation, Springer, Singapore, pp. 1-5. Open access

Journal Articles

Year	Output
2023	Brass, T, Kennedy, JP, Gabriel, F, Neill, B, Devis, D & Leonard, S 2023, 'Learning analytics for lifelong career development: a framework to support sustainable formative assessment and self-reflection in programs developing career self-efficacy', Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, vol. 6, article no. 1173099, pp. 1-10. Open access 2
2023	Fowler, S, Cutting, C, Fiedler, SHD & Leonard, SN 2023, 'Design-based research in mathematics education: trends, challenges and potential', Mathematics Education Research Journal, vol. 35, pp. 635-658. Open access 2 1 2
2023	Fowler, S, Kennedy, J, Cutting, C, Gabriel, F & Leonard, S 2023, 'Self-determined learning in a virtual makerspace: a pathway to improving spatial reasoning for upper primary students', International Journal of Technology and Design Education, online, pp. 1-22. Open access 6
2023	Fowler, S, Leonard, SN & Gabriel, F 2023, 'Empowering mathematics teachers to meet evolving educational goals: the role of 'epistemic objects' in developing actionable practice knowledge in tumultuous times', Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, vol. 51, no. 1, pp. 45-57. 1 2
2023	Leonard, SN, Repetto, M, Kennedy, JP, Tudini, E & Fowler, S 2023, 'Designing maker initiatives for educational inclusion', International Journal of Technology and Design Education, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 883-899. Open access 4 4
2022	Fowler, S, Cutting, C, Kennedy, J, Leonard, SN, Gabriel, F & Jaeschke, W 2022, 'Technology enhanced learning environments and the potential for enhancing spatial reasoning: a mixed methods study', Mathematics Education Research Journal, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 887-910. Open access 12 7 3
2022	Fowler, S, Gabriel, F & Leonard, SN 2022, 'Exploring the effect of teacher ontological and epistemic cognition on engagement with professional development', Professional Development in Education, online, pp. 1-17. 1 1 4
2022	Leonard, SN 2022, 'The arrival of STEM in the science and mathematics curriculum increases the epistemic demands on teachers', Curriculum Perspectives, vol. 42, pp. 191-194. Open access 1 5
2022	Leonard, SN, O'Keeffe, L, White, B, O'Leary, M & Sloan, K 2022, 'The STEM crisis and teacher practice: exploring responses to the competing discursive arrangements of education in the sciences in a catholic school setting', Education Sciences, vol. 12, no. 10, article no. 709, pp. 1-14. Open access
2021	Fowler, S & Leonard, SN 2021, 'Using design based research to shift perspectives: a model for sustainable professional development for the innovative use of digital tools', Professional Development in Education, online, pp. 1-13. Open access 5 5 3
2021	Leonard, SN 2021, 'An implicate order to our practice: reflections on the Waterhouse Natural Art Prize exhibition', Teaching Science, vol. 67, no. 2, pp. 31-33. Open access
2021	Patston, TJ, Kennedy, J-P, Jaeschke, W, Kapoor, H, Leonard, SN, Cropley, DH & Kaufman, JC 2021, 'Secondary education in COVID lockdown: more anxious and less creative-maybe not?', Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 12, no. 391, article no. 613055, pp. 1-14. Open access 5 2 19
2021	Woolcott, G, Leonard, S, Scott, A, Chamberlain, D & Keast, R 2021, 'Partnered research and emergent variation: developing a set of characteristics for identifying complexity in higher education partnerships', Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 91-109. Open access 9 6
2020	Thompson, C, Gabriel, F & Leonard, SN 2020, 'Collaborative assessment design as teacher professional learning: a case study of student fraction knowledge', Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 27-32. Open access
2019	Cutting, C, Fowler, S, Leonard, S & O'Keefe, L 2019, 'The mathematics proficiencies: A doorway into spatial thinking', Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 36-40. Open access
2018	Balzaretti, N, Leonard, SN, Lim, L, Unsworth, P & Vannini, I 2018, 'Innovating methodology through international collaboration: expanding the use of video analysis for understanding learning designs', Italian Journal of Educational Research, no. 21, pp. 11-30. Open access
2018	Leonard, SN & Fitzgerald, RN 2018, 'Holographic learning: A mixed reality trial of Microsoft HoloLens in an Australian secondary school', Research in Learning Technology, vol. 26, article no. 2160, pp. 1-12. Open access 37 19 4
2018	Lowrie, T, Leonard, SN & Fitzgerald, RN 2018, 'STEM Practices: A translational framework for large-scale STEM education design', EDeR: educational design research, vol. 2, no. 1, article no. 14, pp. 1-20. Open access
2017	Leonard, SN, Belling, S, Morris, A & Reynolds, E 2017, 'Playing with rusty nails: 'conceptual tinkering' for 'next' practice', EDeR: educational design research, vol. 1, no. 1, article no. 05, pp. 1-22. Open access
2017	Leonard, SN, Fitzgerald, RN, Bacon, M & Munnerley, D 2017, 'Mapping next generation learning spaces as a designed quality enhancement process', Quality in Higher Education, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 168-182. 5 3 3
2017	Leonard, SN, Fitzgerald, RN, Kohlhagen, S & Johnson, MW 2017, 'Design principles as a bridge between contexts: from innovation in the science museum to transformation in formal education', EDeR: educational design research, vol. 1, no. 1, article no. 02. Open access
2016	Leonard, SN & Roberts, P 2016, 'No time to think: policy, pedagogy and professional learning', Journal of Education Policy, vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 142-160. 11 9 1
2016	Leonard, SN, Fitzgerald, RN & Bacon, M 2016, 'Fold-back: Using emerging technologies to move from quality assurance to quality enhancement', Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 32, no, 2, pp. 15-31. Open access 7 3
2016	Leonard, SN, Fitzgerald, RN & Riordan, G 2016, 'Using developmental evaluation as a design thinking tool for curriculum innovation in professional higher education', Higher Education Research and Development, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 309-321. 21 15 3
2015	Leonard, SN 2015, 'Stepping outside: collaborative inquiry-based teacher professional learning in a performative policy environment', Professional Development in Education, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 5-20. 14 10 1
2015	Salmona, M, Partlo, M, Kaczynski, D & Leonard, SN 2015, 'Developing culturally competent teachers: an international student teaching field experience', Australian Journal of Teacher Education, vol. 40, no. 4, pp. 35-53. Open access 17 10
2014	Leonard, SN & Roberts, P 2014, 'Performers and postulates: the role of evolving socio-historical contexts in shaping new teacher professional identities', Critical Studies in Education, vol. 55, no. 3, pp. 303-318. Open access 16 16
2012	Leonard, SN 2012, 'Professional conversations: mentor teachers' theories-in-use using the Australian national professional standards for teachers', Australian Journal of Teacher Education, vol. 37, no. 12. pp. 46-62. Open access 17

Conferences

Year	Output
2023	Kennedy, J, Devis, D, Giannoni, K, Reuther, C, Roach-Attard, T & Leonard, SN 2023, 'Using chatbots as a learning partner to promote student self-awareness and autonomy in an aspirational careers program.', 13th International Conference on Learning Analytics & Knowledge (LAK23), Society for Learning Analytics Research, pp. 61-64. Open access
2022	Fowler, S, Cutting, C, Devis, D & Leonard, SN 2022, 'Methodological choices made when using design based research to explore mathematics education: an updated analysis', in N Fitzallenet al. (eds), 44th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA 44), Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, pp. 194‒201. Open access
2020	Fowler, S, Leonard, SN & Fiedler, SH 2020, 'Visualising the field: reviewing trends in educational design research in mathematics', International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS, vol. 5, pp. 2609-2610. Open access
2019	Leonard, SN, MacGregor, D & White, B 2019, 'Teaching for tomorrow: teacher education for an uncertain future', 1st International Conference of the Journal Scuola Democratica: Education and Post Democracy Volume 1 Politics, Citizenship, Diversity and Inclusion, Associazione Per Scuola Democratica, pp. 58-62. Open access
2019	Thompson, K, Leonard, S, Adams, D, deLaat, M, Gabriel, F, Howard, S, Knight, S, Lodge, J, Markauskaite, L, Reimann, P & Vasco, D 2019, 'Educational research data: linking data for collaborative research about learning and teaching', Australian Learning Analytics Summer Institute 2019, University of Wollongong, pp. 1-2. Open access
2017	Oberprieler, K, Leonard, SN & Fitzgerald, R 2017, 'Gamifying design education', in E Bohemia, C de Bont & L Svengren Holm (eds), Design Management Academy Conference 2017; DMA 2017, Design Research Society, vol. 5, pp. 1613-1631. Open access
2015	Oberprieler, K & Leonard, SN 2015, 'A model for using activity theory in education design: a gamificaiton example', 2015 Australian Association for Research in Education Conference; AARE 2015, Australian Association for Research in Education Conference, vol. 2015, pp. 1-11. Open access
2010	Cooke, L & Leonard, S 2010, 'Education for sustainability in schools: the flow on effects to health and well-being', 16th Biennial Australian Association for Environmental Education Conference: Leading Change: Living for One Planet, AAEE National Conference Committee, pp. 52-57. Open access

Reports

Year	Output
2023	Devis, D, Fowler, S, Vieira, M, Giannoni, K, Gabriel, F, Kennedy, J & Leonard, S 2023, From insight to action: strategies for cultivating equity and empowering women in industry, University of South Australia, Australia. Open access
2021	Kennedy, J, Thompson, K, Fowler, S & Leonard, SN 2021, A novel approach to mapping changes in student attitudes towards science and mathematics in reaction to changes to their learning environment, Curtin University, Australia. Open access
2021	Kennedy, JP & Leonard, SN 2021, A data summary report for secondary academic leaders at 'Corroboree Frog College', University of South Australia, Australia. Open access
2020	Kennedy, JP, Fowler, S, Cutting, C & Leonard, SN 2020, The foldback project data report no. 1: preliminary report following activities at Corroboree Innovation and creativity school June 2020, University of South Australia, Australia. Open access
2018	Unsworth, P, Tippett, N, Buckskin, P & Leonard, S 2018, Excellence & equity in mathematics (XE) project: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student achievement and tertiary aspirations in mathematics and STEM, Australian Government, Australia. Open access
2017	Fitzgerald, R, Leonard, SN & Bacon, M 2017, Canberra Grammar School Pearson Hololens trial evaluation report, University of Canberra, Australia.
2017	Lowrie, T, Downes, N & Leonard, S 2017, STEM education for all young Australians: a Bright Spots STEM Learning Hub Foundation Paper, for SVA, in partnership with Samsung, Social Ventures Australia & University of Canberra STEM Education Research Centre, Australia. Open access

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Organisation	Country
Australian National University	AUSTRALIA
Catholic Education South Australia	AUSTRALIA
Central Michigan University	UNITED STATES
Charles Darwin University	AUSTRALIA
Faculty of Transdisciplinary Innovation	AUSTRALIA
Flinders University	AUSTRALIA
Griffith University	AUSTRALIA
James Cook University	AUSTRALIA
La Trobe University	AUSTRALIA
Nuertingen-Geislingen University	GERMANY
Queensland University of Technology	AUSTRALIA
Southern Cross University	AUSTRALIA
Trinity College Gawler	AUSTRALIA
University of Adelaide	AUSTRALIA
University of Bologna	ITALY
University of Canberra	AUSTRALIA
University of Connecticut	UNITED STATES
University of Liverpool	UNITED KINGDOM
University of Queensland	AUSTRALIA
University of South Australia	AUSTRALIA
University of Sydney	AUSTRALIA
University of Turin	ITALY
University of Wollongong	AUSTRALIA

External engagement & recognition

Engagement/recognition	Year
Editorial Board Member Educational Design Research Journal	2018
Invited 'Lezione Magistrale' University of Bologna	2018
Keynote address 4th Annual Conference on Education in Muslim Society, Jakarta, 25 October, 2018	2018
Annual John P. Keeves Lecture South Australian Institute for Educational Research	2017
Editorial Board Member Educational Design Research Journal	2017
Invited lecture Social Ventures Australia Thought Leaders Gathering	2017
Keynote: Designing beyond S.T.E.M.: Public policy, public science and the learning sciences Australian Council for Education, Adelaide	2017
Member American Educational Research Association (AERA)	2017
Member Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE)	2017
Member Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)	2017
Editorial Board Member Educational Design Research Journal	2016
Invited presentation: Public Science and the emergence of STEM Southern Cross University	2016
Educator in Residence Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre	2015
Student Satisfaction Working Party University of Canberra	2015
Academic Board Member University of Canberra	2012
Committee Member ACT National Partnerships Teacher Education	2012
Academic Board Member University of Canberra	2011
Committee Member ACT National Partnerships Teacher Education	2011
Curriculum Advisory Committee ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies	2011
Member of AIATSIS Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies	2011
Research Advisory Committee Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)	2011
Admissions Committee University of Canberra	2009
Program Steering Committee Department of Environment Indigenous Natural Resource Management, ACT Government	2009
Admissions Committee University of Canberra	2008

Teaching & student supervision

Research degree supervision

Supervisions from 2010 shown

Thesis title	Student status
A complexity approach to educational change: Expansive ethical systems and the Trinity Education Model	Current
A complexity approach to educational change: Expansive ethical systems and the Trinity Education Model	Current
Developing Creativity as a Key Industry 4 Competency	Current
Exploring the influencers and influences on middle school students career self-efficacy: a theory of change approach	Current
How can virtual reality be used to visualise, experience and enhance different learning processes and concepts in education settings such as; design thinking, and Maths and indegenous knowedge systems	Current
STEM engagement in primary schools: the impact of problem context on critical and creative thinking	Current
Student well-being: The development and evaluation of an individualised ultralight feedback system	Current
The Networks, Associated Practices, and Value Creation of Social Learning Amongst Teachers Engaged in Practitioner Research	Current
Promoting spatial reasoning in makerspaces: a design-based research project exploring the role of epistemic cognition in enriching teachers' pedagogical reasoning	Completed

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Associate Professor Simon Leonard

About me

About me

UniSA Education Futures

About me

Professional Associations

In the media

Experience

Qualifications

Research

Research focus

Projects

Outputs

Highlights

Chapters

Journal Articles

Conferences

Reports

External engagement & recognition

Collaborations

Collaborations

External engagement & recognition

Editorial Board Member

Invited 'Lezione Magistrale'

Keynote address

Annual John P. Keeves Lecture

Editorial Board Member

Invited lecture

Keynote: Designing beyond S.T.E.M.: Public policy, public science and the learning sciences

Member

Member

Member

Editorial Board Member

Invited presentation: Public Science and the emergence of STEM

Educator in Residence

Student Satisfaction Working Party

Academic Board Member

Committee Member

Academic Board Member

Committee Member

Curriculum Advisory Committee

Member of AIATSIS

Research Advisory Committee

Admissions Committee

Program Steering Committee

Admissions Committee

Teaching & student supervision

Courses and programs

Courses I teach

Research degree supervision

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