ACU Researcher

Dr Matthew White

Lecturer/ Researcher in Inclusive Education
National School of Education, Faculty of Education and Arts

Matthew White is a lecturer and researcher in Inclusive Education. He is an experienced teacher and school system leader. He has held roles guiding inclusive education and school attendance. His experience also includes supporting national and cross sector school policy as a senior policy officer with the NSW Department of Education.

His research centres on the interconnection of school wellbeing and inclusion, with a strong emphasis on multi-tiered system of supports and supporting students with attendance difficulties. His PhD study "Support for Students with Learning Difficulties Through a Universal Intervention Framework" examined the effectiveness of a systems approach to supporting the academic self-concept of adolescents with learning difficulties".

Matthew is particularly passionate about implementation science and the embedding of effective practices across educational settings.

Download curriculum vitae

Website

ResearchGate

Select publications

Journal Articles

White. M. (2020) Combining Explicit Instruction and Positive Psychology to see adolescents with learning difficulties flourish. https://doi.org/10.1080/19404158.2020.1777576 Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties.

Phan. H, Ngu. B, and White M. (2021) Introducing 'holistic psychology' for life qualities: A Theoretical Model for Consideration. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05843 Heliyon

White, M. O. (2022). An analysis of the recording, reporting, and use of school attendance data in Australia. https://doi.org/10.14712/23363177.2022.10 Orbis Scholae

Conference Papers

White, M. O. (2022) In the waves of change we find our true direction - Leading Attendance Together
International Network for School Attendance
Conference Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands

White, M.O. (2019) Harnessing the power of good pedagogy and positive psychology to see adolescents with learning difficulties flourish.
National Association of Special and Inclusive Education Conference Hobart.

Other publications

Submission on behalf of Catholic Schools Diocese of Parramatta Senate Standing Committees on Education and Employment. The national trend of school refusal and related matters. Link

Projects

• 2023 Australian Collaborative Education Network, $10,000 for project "Becoming and Flourishing as a Neurodivergent Teacher".

• 2023 Brisbane Catholic Education - $3000 Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Training package.

Awards

• 2023 ACU Faculty of Education and Arts Executive Dean's Commendation.

Appointments and Affiliations

• NSW Chapter Committee Member Positive Education Schools Association

• International Network School Attendance Policy and Training Committee

Public engagement

Herald Sun July 6, 2024 What's driving alarming school absence rates among Year 7 students?

Interview Sky News January 6, 2024 Sydney private coaching colleges success raises questions about fairness of HSC.

Canberra Times May 6, 2024 'Traumatic': ACT school suspensions increase after COVID

Education Daily May 9, 2024 How do students cope after being expelled from school?