Teaching Middle Years

Donna Pendergast AM is Director, Engagement in the Arts, Education and Law Group and former Dean and Head of the School of Education and Professional Studies at Griffith University, Australia (2009-2023). She is a leading international scholar in the field of middle years education. She leads educational transformation, including the shift of Year 7 to secondary schools around the nation. In 2024 Professor Pendergast was invested as a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant contribution to tertiary education.

Katherine Main is an internationally recognised researcher in the School of Education and Professional Studies at Griffith University, Australia. Her work focuses on middle years learners' wellbeing and the development of social and emotional competencies. She has also led national and international projects working with school leadership teams around different aspects of wellbeing within their individual school contexts.

Nan Bahr is Emeritus Professor of Southern Cross University, Australia. She has a broad profile in the field of adolescent development and responsive education. She has significant experience as teacher, teacher educator, and university executive. A career highlight has been nomination for Australian of the Year (2020) for service to education.