Presentations

Dr Seán Bracken

Dr Seán Bracken is a Principal Lecturer at the University of Worcester (UW), UK, where he is the Doctoral Programme Lead for the College of Education, Culture and Society. Seán holds an Ed.D., a M.Phil. in Applied Linguistics, and a M.Ed. in School Leadership. He is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and, as part of the ACSES fellowship programme, he is currently an Adjunct Professor at Curtin University.

A cornerstone of Seán’s work is his dedication to inclusion and UDL. He has been instrumental in promoting inclusivity through various leadership roles and research initiatives. As the founder of the Inclusion by Design Research Group at UW, he has fostered an interdisciplinary community focused on improving learning outcomes and social experiences for diverse learners.

Along with Dr Richard Jackson, he was the co-founder, and subsequent chair, of the International Collaboratory for Leadership in Universally Designed Education (INCLUDE) This link takes you away from the ADCET page. This transnational network connects learners, student service professionals and researchers dedicated to inclusive instructional design. INCLUDE recently launched the International Journal for Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning (IJUDUDL) This link takes you away from the ADCET page, for which Seán acts as one of the Deputy Editors. IJUDUDL is hosted by the Ministry of Higher Education in Morocco and aims to provide a robust research basis for charting future directions for UD and UDL.

Seán’s research projects, often funded by prestigious organisations such as the British Council and the British Academy, focus on strengthening inclusion in higher education. Notable projects include co-constructing UDL modules with learners and colleagues in Indonesia and the UK, as well as exploring the use of Lesson Study in Brazil as an enabling action research strategy for enhancing inclusion. Seán’s research, and advocacy have significantly advanced educational practices, making him a highly respected thought leader in the field.

Dr Frederic Fovet

Frederic Fovet is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at Thompson Rivers University. He has previously held faculty positions at the University of Prince Edward Island and Royal Roads University. He has also been Head of Accessibility Services at McGill University for a period of four years, for the duration of his PhD. He was responsible, in this role, for the campus wide roll out of Universal Design for Learning strategies Frederic acts as a UDL and Inclusion consultant, domestically and internationally, in the K-12 and post-secondary sectors. Frederic was the instigator of and the Program Chair for the three first Pan-Canadian Conferences on UDL which took place in Montreal, Charlottetown, and Victoria, in 2015, 2017, and 2019 respectively. He has been a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Disability and Social Justice (IJDSJ) since 2020 and has been invited to join the Editorial Executive in 2023.

Dr Katie Butler

Dr Katie Butler is a disabled community development practitioner, disability inclusion specialist and early career researcher. Her focus in research and practice is on improving organisational policy and practice for inclusivity while working directly within diverse communities to build empowerment and community connectedness. Dr Butler currently works as an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator at the University of Newcastle.

Dr Carl Leonard

Dr Carl Leonard convenes the suite of postgraduate special and inclusive education programs in the School of Education at the University of Newcastle. With over 30 years of experience in public education, he is a passionate advocate for equity, inclusion, and quality learning for all students. His expertise spans educational leadership, implementation science, universal design for learning, and special and inclusive education. Dr Leonard is committed to bridging research and practice to improve outcomes for diverse learners.

Dr Erin Leif

Dr Erin Leif is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, at Monash University. Erin is passionate about using behaviour science to help all kids thrive. Erin’s current research focuses on ways to help parents, teachers, and behaviour support practitioners use positive, preventative, evidence-based practices when supporting children with diverse learning needs in home, school, and community settings. Her research interests include positive behaviour support, multi-tiered systems of support, trauma-informed behaviour support, and universal design for learning.

Dr Amanda Gigliotti

Dr Amanda Rita Gigliotti is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Wollongong (UOW). Specialising in educational technology in higher education, her research investigates teachers’ design decisions when planning for and using technology in their teaching. Dr Gigliotti's has exhibited exemplary leadership, particularly in mentoring over 100 academics internationally across various disciplines in technology-enhanced learning. Her teaching excellence and outstanding achievements in education have been recognised through the Australian College of Educators (ACE) National Awards program and UOW's Vice Chancellor (Early Career) Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning.

Dr Tanya Manning-Lewis

Dr Tanya Manning-Lewis is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Thompson Rivers University in Canada. She has served the education sector for over 22 years as a secondary school teacher, teacher educator, community-engaged researcher, and advocate for vulnerable populations in local, multicultural, and international contexts. She is a social justice educator whose practice is grounded in compassion and the ethic of care. Her research focuses on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), student experience, language and socialization, gender, and decolonial practices. Through her work, she continuously seeks to develop pathways for critically and authentically engaging in deeper understanding of social justice education.

Dr Frederic Fovet

Frederic Fovet is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at Thompson Rivers University. He has previously held faculty positions at the University of Prince Edward Island and Royal Roads University. He has also been Head of Accessibility Services at McGill University for a period of four years, for the duration of his PhD. He was responsible, in this role, for the campus wide roll out of Universal Design for Learning strategies Frederic acts as a UDL and Inclusion consultant, domestically and internationally, in the K-12 and post-secondary sectors. Frederic was the instigator of and the Program Chair for the three first Pan-Canadian Conferences on UDL which took place in Montreal, Charlottetown, and Victoria, in 2015, 2017, and 2019 respectively. He has been a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Disability and Social Justice (IJDSJ) since 2020 and has been invited to join the Editorial Executive in 2023.

Adjunct A/Prof Cathy Snelling

Cathy Snelling has been involved in higher education for more than 30 years and currently is a Principal Consultant, Course Development at Skills SA. After a 20-year tenure at the University of Adelaide, she is now an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health and Medical Science. Cathy was also a visiting lecturer at TAFE SA (1993-2017) and holds Senior Fellowship at the Higher Education Academy, (UK). Cathy’s teaching expertise has been acknowledged by many awards including a National Award for University Teaching (2013), Australian Awards for University Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2013, 2017).

Dr Hayley McGrice

Hayley McGrice is the Associate Dean Learning Quality and Student Experience in the Faculty of Science Engineering and Technology and leads the Empowered Educators professional development program at the University of Adelaide. Hayley is passionate about improving the student experience through reflective practice, facilitating continuing professional development workshops , inclusion of students as partners and actively listening to the student voice at all levels of university operations and governance. Hayley was recognised for her outstanding leadership and practice in 2023 when she received a Stephen Cole the Elder Award for excellence in the leadership, support and enhancement of teaching.

A/Prof Beth Loveys

Beth Loveys is an Education Specialist & member of the Adelaide Education Academy at The University of Adelaide. She holds several leadership positions at the University & is a Senior Fellow HEA (UK). Beth’s success has been recognised by: Office of Learning and Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning, SA Science STEM Educator finalist, Stephen Cole the Elder Award for Excellence & Vice Chancellors and Presidents Award for Excellence & the Australian Awards for University Teaching. Beth’s research interests are broad, but unified by a desire to better understand what motivates students learning and leads to improved learning outcomes.

Dr Sasha Lanyon

Sasha Lanyon is Lecturer in Animal and Veterinary Biosciences at The University of Adelaide. She is a passionate and innovative educator whose student-centred approach has been recognised by Executive Dean’s Awards for Excellence in Individual Teaching and Outstanding Excellence in Teaching, as well as numerous student-led teaching awards. Sasha’s professional practice has also been recognised with fellowship of Advance HE. Sasha supports and influences her colleagues through shared practice, facilitation of communities of practice, and involvement in institutional initiatives.

Elizabeth Hitches

Elizabeth Hitches teaches undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the areas of inclusive education, diversity, equity, and accessibility. Elizabeth is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her research interests lie in inclusive education at a national and international level, as well as equity, achievement, and wellbeing for students with accessibility requirements and/or disabilities.

A/Prof Stuart Woodcock

Stuart Woodcock currently teaches in a range of areas, such as inclusive education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. His established research areas focus on inclusive education, self- and collective efficacy, and the systemic support that is in place for teachers and principals to manage, teach, and differentiate inclusively.

A/Prof Laura Gray

Laura Gray is the Deputy Director of the Drapac Centre for Equity in Health Professions Education and an Associate Professor with the School of Medicine, Deakin University. She leads programs of research, evaluation, strategy and policy design and implementation, with a focus on equity and inclusion. With extensive experience in higher education leadership, she is committed to advancing equitable access to higher education and programmes to enable all students to thrive.

A/Prof Jo Tai

Joanna Tai is Associate Professor at the Centre for Research in Assessment and Digital Learning (CRADLE) at Deakin University. Her research in assessment focuses on inclusion and diversity, feedback literacies, developing evaluative judgement, and student experiences across the university and workplace. Joanna is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a member of the Australian and New Zealand Association for Health Professions Education, and the European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction. She has a background in medicine and health professions education.

A/Prof Kelly Linden

Associate Professor Kelly Linden is a 2025 ACSES Equity Fellow from Charles Sturt University. Over the last 9 years, Kelly has developed and led retention work across Charles Sturt which has resulted in a number of publications and awards. Her research interests are student engagement, success, retention and feedback with a particular focus on how universities can better support part-time students.

Dr Ana Garcia-Melgar

Dr Ana Garcia-Melgar is a lecturer in Inclusive Education in the School of Education at La Trobe University. She is currently coordinating and teaching subjects within the Inclusive Education specialisation of the Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary). Her research interests are in the areas of inclusive education, reasonable adjustments, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and multi-tiered supports, and neuro-affirming practices. She has collaborated with La Trobe University’s Living with Disability Research Centre and Rural Health department on several projects aimed at improving the accessibility and responsiveness of mainstream services for people with disabilities.

Nelson Lo

Nelson Lo (FHEA) is a doctoral candidate and sessional academic at the Sydney School of Education and Social Work in the University of Sydney. He has extensive experience working as a teacher, course coordinator and academic advisor in university pathway settings, where he closely works with students with disabilities and students from EAL/D backgrounds. Nelson also had a background in secondary school and TAFE teaching.

Dr Karen-Anne Wong

Dr Karen-Anne Wong is an inter-disciplinary researcher and sessional academic in both the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies and the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney. Her research interests include educational design, pedagogy, diversity, inclusion, disability and qualitative methodologies. She has published on innovation in assessment, intersectional identity, disability in the classroom and conducting sensory ethnographies. She is interested in young people of all ages, and to this end, her current research is practice-led; a middle-grade novel investigating representations of neurodivergent girls. Karen is also a mum of two young children and two old dogs.

Dr Annjanette Bennar

Annjanette Bennar, Ed.D., serves as the Director for the Center for Teaching Excellence at Goodwin University in Connecticut, where she is also a Senior Teaching Fellow and Full Professor. After completing her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Capella University in 2024, Dr. Bennar has focused on advancing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in higher education. In her role as a Senior Teaching Fellow, she has co-facilitated UDL Professional Learning Institutes at various universities nationwide. Dr. Bennar has published and delivered presentations on UDL implementation in multiple academic venues, contributing to both institutional development and the broader educational community.

Dr Robert LeGary

Robert LeGary Jr., Ed.D., is director of the Master of Education in Teacher Leadership Joint Degree Program at Goodwin University and University of Bridgeport, an associate professor, and a senior teaching fellow. He earned his doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Hartford. For 20 years, Rob has served as a school administrator and program developer in the special education field. Rob also has taught, developed courses, and co-facilitated professional learning in higher education since 2003. He has published, presented, and consulted on UDL pedagogy in higher education and K-12 education. Rob is passionate about UDL and inclusive teaching practices.

Dr Margaret Flood

Margaret Flood is an Assistant Professor in Inclusive Education at Maynooth University, Ireland and Academic Advisor for the Maynooth Access Programme. She also leads Years 1 and 2 of the BScEd programme. With a background in teaching, curriculum and policy development, and teacher professional learning, Margaret is passionate about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and inclusive education. She has led inclusive curriculum initiatives and supported professional development nationally and internationally at local, institution, and government agency level . As a Fulbright Scholar, she collaborated with CAST on UDL Guidelines 3.0. Margaret also hosts the podcast Talking about all things Inclusion.

Dr Jessica Zanuttini

Dr Jessica Zanuttini is a Lecturer in Special and Inclusive Education at the University of Sydney. With a background in primary and secondary teaching, her research explores how educational supports and interventions shape the learning experiences of all students, with a focus on inclusive practices. She uses qualitative and quantitative methods to examine the social, political, and cultural influences on student outcomes. Jessica’s work centers on amplifying student and caregiver voices, particularly in autism research, and embeds co-design approaches to ensure meaningful, community-informed impact.

Dr Nattalia Godbold

Dr Nattalia Godbold is a Project and Research Officer at the University of Queensland (UQ), where she supports initiatives focused on inclusive assessment and student engagement in higher education. She is currently coordinating a university-wide project on inclusive assessment practices and co-facilitates UQ’s Student Fellows program, fostering meaningful student–staff partnerships. Nattalia’s research explores student partnership, curriculum co-design, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. She brings a strong background in educational leadership and a passion for creating more equitable and collaborative learning environments.

Christopher Frost

Chris Frost is a learning designer at the University of Queensland (UQ), managing a learning design team in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Chris and his team work with academic staff to maintain and improve inclusive teaching and assessment practice while securing assessment from inappropriate AI use. He co-developed and maintains and UQ's Assessment Ideas Factory, which promotes alternative forms of assessment that allow students to demonstrate their learning in diverse ways.

Dr Kashmira Dave

Dr Kashmira Dave is an experienced academic and educational learning design specialist with over 20 years of experience in teaching, learning design, and research. Her work spans diverse fields, including learning and teaching in HE, curriculum development, learning design, third space, active learning, technology integration, inclusion and ePortfolios in higher education. As a Senior Lecturer in Academic Development at UNE, Kashmira leads professional development initiatives, supports curriculum innovation, and oversees projects that enhance SoTL for academic staff. Kashmira is a published researcher and reviewer, her passion is advancing educational practices through evidence-based strategies fostering a community of practice in higher education.