Simon Leonard

I am a Professor of the Learning Sciences. I lead a team who—given all we know from multiple domains of research on learning and development—are seeking to understand and implement the school and classroom practices and environments that support students in all areas of their development. 

My team of educational researchers and educational designers are engaged in projects focussed on developing productive learning strategies, social and emotional development, systems of student support, and supportive and inclusive learning environments. We refer to the schools we support as the Education Futures Academy, and we share much of what we learn and design through these collaborations at our website.

Our work is heavily informed by the Science of Learning and Development (SoLD), but is also deeply pragmatic and responsive the very real challenges of everyday schooling. We engage with schools and school systems through collaborative research projects, typically with teachers engaging in the project through our research degree programs; and through smaller consultancy and professional learning projects where we support schools to make evidence-based change. My team also provides a large school outreach and engagement program on behalf of our university, which primarily seeks to help young people from under-represented communities develop the capacity to choose a higher education pathway. 

My research and design projects have been supported by in excess of $10 million in grants, and have been reported through over 50 scholarly publications. A major focus of my current work is on the development of early career researchers in the Learning Sciences. I supervise and/or mentor numerous doctoral and post-doctoral researchers. I was pleased to win my Academic Unit’s award for Higher Degree supervision and am even more pleased when the people I mentor publish their work or secure the funding needed to pursue their research agenda. 

I have extensive experience in educational leadership and management, including a three-year term as Head of the Teacher Education program at the University of Canberra where my work in curriculum redevelopment was recognised by the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence. I’ve also worked previously as a secondary school teacher and as a policy officer in Treasury.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy University of Wollongong

• Graduate Diploma of Education Charles Sturt University