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Western Australian Institute for Educational Research41st Annual Research Forum at Murdoch UniversityForum 2026 Panel presentation |
| Chairperson: Associate Professor Sian Chapman Sian Chapman is an Associate Professor and Dean of the School of Education at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia, teaching into undergraduate and post-graduate Initial Teacher Education programs. Her research interests include education policy and practice, teacher agency and change, and understanding systemic difference through complexity theory. These concepts are explored across a range of topics, including arts education, inclusive education, teacher wellbeing and practice. She has published articles in Q1 education journals, including Thinking Skills and Creativity, International Journal of Inclusive Education, Cambridge Journal of Education, Journal of Curriculum Studies and Arts Education Policy Review. |  |
| Professor Laura Perry Murdoch University Professor Laura Perry conducts comparative research about educational disadvantage and inequalities, especially as they appear between schools, and the systems, structures and policies that shape them. The aim of her research is to inform policy for improving equity of educational opportunities, experiences and outcomes. Professor Perry's specific research interests include educational marketization, school segregation and stratification, school funding, and between-school inequalities. Professor Perry draws on the disciplines of comparative education, sociology of education, and education policy to examine these topics. |
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| Dr Cindy Smith Curtin University Cindy lectures in the area of Educational Psychology and has previous experience as a Special Education Teacher specialising in children with behavioral disorders. She has also served as a behavioral specialist, supporting children, families, and schools for success in educational and community settings. Before her current appointment at Curtin University, Cindy worked in universities in the United States and the Middle East to assist with the development of programs to train special education teachers. Cindy's research interests include mentoring as an intervention for adolescents at high risk, autism, teacher development, and women's studies. |  |
| Dr Garth Stahl University of Queensland Associate Professor Garth Stahl's research interests focus on the relationship between education and society, socio-cultural studies of education, student identities, equity/inequality, and social change. He was awarded a Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) from the Australian Research Council (2017-2019) where he researched the relationship between extreme disadvantage, masculinities and widening participation (DE170100510). At the University of Queensland, Dr Stahl teaches at the undergraduate, masters and PhD levels. Recently, he was awarded two ARC Discovery projects: Including the voice of boys and young men in their health and well-being education (DP250102623) and Investigating how boys and young men experience their digital lives (DP250104014). |  |
| Ms Renae Isaacs-Guthridge Curtin University Renae Isaacs-Guthridge is a Noongar and Yamajti yorga (woman) with matriarchal connections to Countries across both Nations. Her career in education spans 30 years having taught from early childhood to higher education. She is currently employed as an Aboriginal Senior Lecturer at Curtin University's School of Education. Renae's research prioritises Aboriginal knowledges, voices and perspectives through strengths-based, emancipatory practices. She has contributed to research in Aboriginal education and collective work, and her PhD questions the adequacy of Australia's colonial education system. Renae's community involvement includes currently serving as Chair of the South West Community Legal Centre (SWCLC) and Committee Member of the Noongar Boodja Trust Nominations Committee. |  |
| Rachael Lehr President ACEL WA Rachael Lehr is the foundation Associate Principal at Dayton Primary School, a school that opened in 2023, and the WA Branch President of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders. She is passionate about empowering and supporting teachers and leaders to believe in themselves and reach their fullest potential. Rachael endeavours to 'lead by example', embodying lifelong learning, embracing discomfort, and constantly seeking personal growth. She is focused on the authentic integration of digital technologies and STEM learning into the classroom and believes in the power of instructional coaching to bring about effective change in teaching and learning. |  |