Researcher Profile

Associate Professor William Sultmann

La Salle Academy, Deputy Dean

Areas of expertise: leadership; psychology; theology; education; religious education; formation. 

HDR Supervisor accreditation status: Full 

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7481-6588

Phone: +61 0427 138 414

Email: william.sultmann@acu.edu.au

Location: Brisbane Campus ACU

William Sultmann AM (Dip T, B Ed St, BA, Dip Psych, Grad Cert Theol; M Ed St, M Ed Lead, PhD (UQ), PhD (ACU), MAPS, ACTA, FACE, FILM). 
William (Bill) Sultmann is a teacher, psychologist, practical theologian and leader with senior executive and governance roles in education, health and welfare sectors across Government and Catholic sectors. He has chaired and participated in multiple state and national bodies in welfare and education and consulted nationally and internationally. He has published comprehensively through books, monographs and journals in areas of Special Education, Language and Reading, Interpersonal and Educational Psychology, School Renewal, Christian Leadership, and Catholic School Identity. Qualifications span arts, education, psychology, and leadership with research doctorates in Educational Psychology and Pastoral Theology. Adjunct professorial positions have been held with two universities and fellowships exist within education, management and leadership professional bodies. Current responsibilities include university teaching, professional writing, and community engagement in not-for-profit governance boards. Bill holds the position of Associate Professor and Director of Catholic School Identity and Mission within ACU with responsibilities as Deputy Dean within the La Salle Academy. In 2019 Bill was honored in the Queen’s Birthday Honors as a Member of the Order of Australia.

Select publications:

Dissertations

• Sultmann, W.F. (2011). Stones Cry Out: A Gospel Imagination for Catholic School Identity. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Faculty of Theology and Philosophy, Australian Catholic University.
• Sultmann, W.F. (1990). Catholic School Index: An Instrument In Support of Organisational Renewal. Fourth year Psychology Dissertation, James Cook University, Townsville.
• Sultmann, W.F. (1986). A Study of the Automaticity of Orthographic and Semantic Information Processing in Word Pair Judgments. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Sir Fred and Eleanor Schonell Educational Research Centre, University of Queensland.

Books

• Sultmann, W. F. (2018). Cornerstone: Encountering the Spirit of Christ in the Catholic School. Melbourne: Coventry Press.
• Sultmann, W.F. (2014). Stones Cry Out: A Gospel Imagination for Catholic School Identity. Berlin: Lambert Academic Press.
• Sultmann, W.F. (2003). Cornerstone: Spirituality, Mission and Ministry of Lay People within Catholic Schools. Queensland, Australia: Diocese of Toowoomba and the Loyola Institute.
• Sultmann, W.F., and Burton, A.M. (2002). Interpersonal Effectiveness. Brisbane, Australia: Academic Press.
• Sultmann, W.F. and McLaughlin, G.D. (2000). The Spirit of leadership. Johannesburg, South Africa: Catholic Institute of Education.
• Sultmann, W.F. and Burton, A.M. (1993). Building Personal Effectiveness, Objectives, Brisbane, Australia.
• Treston, K., Sultmann, W.F., and Everett, G. (Eds.) (1990). Called to Serve: Reflecting and Visioning about Contemporary Christian Leadership. Brisbane Catholic Education, Brisbane.

Monographs

• Sultmann, W., Lamb, J. & Hall, D. (2021, submitted). Life in the Spirit, Formation for Mission: Learning in a formative space. Research Monograph Series. Springer: Singapore.
• Thompson, C., Dutton, M., Avery, L., Sultmann, W. & Lamb, J. (2021). Leading formation for mission: A practical guide. National Catholic Education Commission: Sydney
• Sultmann, W.F. & Hall (2021). Beyond the gates: the distinctiveness of the Catholic school in an increasingly pluralist world. Sydney, La Salle Academy Publication Number 8, La Salle Academy, Australian Catholic University.
• Hall, D. & Sultmann, W. F. (2019). Ways forward in Religious Education: Religious Education Colloquium ACU Canberra 12-14 November 2018. La Salle Academy Publication Number 3. Sydney: La Salle Academy, ACU.
• Hall, D. & Sultmann, W. F. (2018). Constants in context: Conciliar and post-conciliar documents on the Catholic school and their implication for mission. La Salle Academy Publication Number 2. Sydney: La Salle Academy, ACU.
• Hall, D., Nestor, D., & Sultmann, W. (2018). Formation for mission: A systems model for advancing the formation of the Catholic school educator within the Australian context. La Salle Academy Publication Number 1. Sydney: La Salle Academy, ACU.
• Sultmann, W. F. (2016). Ministry Profiling and Reporting. Oceania Province of the Christian Brothers. Brisbane, Australia.
• Sultmann, W. F. (2005). Foundations for Schools Ministry as Church Mission. National Planning Committee for Schools Governance, Sydney.
• Sultmann, W.F., Betts, P., Middleton, M., Young, T., Percy J., Newman M., Everett, G., and McDonald, I. (2004). Measuring Values in Education. Research Project, Australian College of Educators, Queensland Branch, Brisbane.
• Sultmann W.F., Everett, G., McCorley, J., Roff, G. and Ryan, P. (1999). Models for Performance Review and Appraisal: Processes of Growth for Leadership in Christian Organisations. Toowoomba Catholic Education Office, Toowoomba, Australia.
• Spry, V.G. and Sultmann, W.F. (1994). Journeying in Renewal: A Resource for Self-Renewing Catholic Schools. Brisbane Catholic Education, Brisbane.
• Power, L., Sultmann, W.F. and Reynolds, R. (1992). Consultation. Monograph Series. Ministerial Consultative Council on Curriculum, Brisbane.
• Spry, V.G., Sultmann, W.F. and Ralston, F. (1992). Imaging for curriculum renewal. Monograph Series Ministerial Consultative Council on Curriculum, Brisbane.
• Spry, G. and Sultmann, W.F. (1991). Self-Renewing Catholic Schools: Towards a Model for Implementation within the Archdiocese of Brisbane, Brisbane Catholic Education, Brisbane.
• Quinn, M.G. and Sultmann, W.F. (1987). A survey of the prevalence of exceptional students in Queensland Catholic Schools. Queensland Catholic Education Commission, Brisbane.
• Sultmann W.F., Elkins, J., Miller, S F. and Byrne, M. (1983). Readiness Assessment and Early Reading. Research Series, Queensland Department of Education, Brisbane.
• Sultmann, W.F. and Cliffe, S. J. (1982). Early Educational Provisions for Handicapped Children in Queensland. Occasional Paper Series, Number 2, Queensland Department of Education, Brisbane.
• Nathan, G.A. and Sultmann, W.F. (1981). Special Entry Status Pre-School: A Descriptive Study. Occasional Paper Series, Number 1, Queensland Department of Education, Brisbane.
• Sultmann, W.F. (1977). Personality Assessment Instruments: A Review. Discussion paper, Division of Special Education, Department of Education, Queensland.

Book Chapters

• Hall, D. & Sultmann, W. F. (2019). Formation for mission: A systems model for advancing the formation of the religious educator within an Australian context. In M. T. Buchanan and A. M. Gellel, (Eds.). Global Perspectives on Catholic Religious Education Volume II: Learning and Leading in a Pluralist World. Netherlands: Springer Press.
• Spry, V.G. & Sultmann, W.F. (1997). Catholic School Renewal: Transforming the Reform Agenda. In Keane, R., and Riley, D. (Eds.). Quality Catholic Schools: Challenges for Leadership as Catholic Education approaches the third millennium. Catholic Education, Brisbane.
• Sultmann, W.F., Finucane, E. & Power, L. (1990). Establishing a context: theories and styles of leadership. In Everett, G., Sultmann, W.F. and Treston, K. (Eds.) Called to Serve: Reflecting and visioning about contemporary Christian leadership. Brisbane Catholic Education, Brisbane.
• Sultmann, W.F. & Gordon, B. (1990). Catholic school leadership: a dynamic response to cultural and organisational imperatives. In Everett, G., Sultmann, W.F. and Treston, K. (Eds). Called to Serve: Reflecting and visioning about contemporary Christian leadership. Brisbane Catholic Education, Brisbane.
• Sultmann, W.F. & Elkins, J. (1985). Predicting and assessing early reading. In, Burnes, D., French, H. and Moore, F. (Eds), Literacy Strategies and Perspectives. pp. 149-154. Adelaide, Australian Reading Association.

Journal Articles

• Sultmann, W. F., Lamb, J., Hall, D., & Borg, G. (Submitted). Teacher and student evaluations of a trail RE curriculum: Implications for scale.
• Sultmann, W. F., Lamb, J., Hall, D., & Borg, G. (2021). Into the deep: Teacher reflections of the development and implementation of a trial Religious Education curriculum. Religious Education. doi.org/10.1080/00344087.2021.1954341
• Sultmann, W. F., Larkins, G., & Lamb, J. (2021). Catholic School Formation Index (CSFI): Development and application of an instrument in support of formation for mission. Practical Theology. DOI: 10.1080/1756073X.2021.1935558
• Sultmann, W. F., Lamb, J., Hall, D., & Borg, G. (2021, Accepted). Into the deep: A quantitative analysis of teacher ratings of the development and implementation of a trial Religious Education curriculum. British Journal of Religious Education.
• Sultmann, W. F., Lamb, J., Hall, D., & Borg, G. (2020). Student perceptions of a trial Religious Education curriculum: Establishing baseline data. Journal of Beliefs and Values. DOI: 10.1080/13617672.2020.1818923
• Hall, D. and Sultmann, W.F. (2020). Ways forward in Religious Education: Reflections of an Australian colloquium. eJournal of Catholic Education in Australasia. Vol 4 (1) p. 1-23.
• Sultmann, W.F. and Brown, R. (2019). Mission and teacher identity: a case for relationships. Journal of Religious Education, 67 (2), 153-163.
• Hall, D., Sultmann, W.F. and Townend, G. (2018). Constants in context: Conciliar and post-conciliar documents on the Catholic school. Journal of Religious Education. DOI :10.1007/s40839-019-00074-6.
• Sultmann, W.F. and Brown, R. (2016). Leadership and identity in the Catholic school: an Australian perspective. International Studies in Catholic Education, 8 (1), 73-90.
• Sultmann, W. F. and Brown, R. (2014). Catholic school identity and the new evangelization. Journal of Religious Education, http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40839-014-0001-6.
• Sultmann, W.F. and Brown, R. (2013). Magisterium Perspectives on Catholic School Identity. Journal of Religious Education, 61 (1), 4-14.
• Sultmann, W. F. and Brown, R. (2011). Modelling pillars of Catholic school identity: an Australian study. International Studies in Catholic Education, 3 (1), 73 & 90.
• Bird, K. and Sultmann, W.F. (2009). Social and Emotional Learning: Reporting a system approach to developing relationships, nurturing wellbeing and invigorating learning. Education and Child Psychology. 27 (1), 143 & 155.
• Sultmann, W.F. and Scroope, M. (2004). Resourcing the Mission. Catholic School Studies. 77 (2), 11-16.
• Sultmann, W.F. (2004). Cornerstone of the Catholic School. Catholic School Studies. 77 (1), 26-30.
• Sultmann, W.F., Thurgood, G. and Rasmussen, B. (2003). What Parents are thinking? Some Reflections on Choices for Schooling. Catholic School Studies. 76 (2), 16-20.
• Spry, V.G. and Sultmann, W. F. (1992). A system's journey in renewal. Orbit, Special Edition, 66 (1), 29-31. Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.
• Quinn, M.G., Sultmann, W.F., and Elkins, J. (1988). Exceptional students in Queensland Catholic schools: Prevalence, priorities and future directions. Australian Journal of Special Education, 12 (1), 10-20.
• Sultmann, W.F., Elkins, J., and Crassini, B.U. (1986). Validation of similar and dissimilar orthographic and semantic relationships in word pairs. Social and Behavioural Sciences Documents, 16 (2), 1-86.
• Sultmann, W.F., Elkins, J., Miller, S.F., and Byrne, M. (1983). Linguistic awareness and early reading. Reading Psychology, 4, 327-335.
• Sultmann, W.F. and Elkins, J. (1981). Readiness Assessment and Early Reading: A multiple regression analysis. Reading Education. 7 (1), 39-46.
• Sultmann, W.F., Poulsen, A., Farragher, S. and Simms, P. (1981). Congenital Ocular Motor Apraxia. An interdisciplinary approach to education intervention. The Exceptional Child. 28 (2), 133-145.
• Elkins, J. and Sultmann, W.F. (1981). ITPA and Learning disability: A discriminant analysis. Journal of Learning Disabilities. 14 (2), 88-92.
• Sultmann, W.F. and McKenna, J. (1979). Learning Diagnosis and Remediation. Resources Bulletin. Department of Education, Queensland.
• Wilkinson, I.A.G., Flynn, A., Hodgson, G., Prouatt, M., Sultmann, W.F., Gardner, J.M., (1978). The public and the help giving professions in Australian. Professional Psychology, 9, 692-699.

Conference Proceedings

• Sultmann, W.F., Hall, D., Lamb, J., & Borg, G., (2021, accepted). Into the deep: A case study of a trial Religious Education curriculum. International Studies Religious Education and Values. Online Conference 25-30 July 2021 Gothenburg: Sweden.
• Sultmann, W.F. & Bird, K. (2008). Living Relationships. Proceedings of Australian College of Educators National Conference. Hobart.
• Sultmann, W.F. (2002). Cornerstone. Proceedings of the Vision and Reality International Conference. Australian Catholic University, Sydney.
• Spry, V.G., Sultmann, W.F. & O'Rourke, V.J. (1994). School Renewal: Maintaining Quality in a Changing Environment. Proceedings of the International Conference on Total Quality Management. Rand Afrikaans University, Johannesburg.
• Spry, V.G., Sultmann W.F., & O'Rourke V.J. (1994). School Renewal: Lessons from the Journey.Proceedings of the International Conference on Effective Schools. Melbourne.
• Sultmann, W.F. & Summers, G. J. (1981). (Eds.) Language and Reading. Proceedings of North West Region of Education Conference. Department of Education, Queensland, Australia.
• Elkins, J. & Sultmann, W.F. (1979). Simultaneous and successive Processing: A reanalysis of Kirby and Das's Data. Proceedings of the Australian Association for Research in Education Conference. Sydney, 572-579.

Inter-Systemic Inquiries and Reports

• Sultmann, W. F. & Lamb, J. (2021). La Salle Academy Research Report. Into the deep: A case study of a trial Religious Education curriculum. Sydney: La Salle Academy, ACU.
• Sultmann, W. F. & Lamb, J. (2020). La Salle Academy Research Report. Learning in a formative space: A review of A Framework for Mission in Catholic Education for NCEC. Sydney: La Salle Academy, ACU.
• Sultmann, W. F., Ivers, P., & Lamb, J. (2020). La Salle Academy Research Report. Religion Meaning and Life: Establishing baseline data. Research Report for Brisbane Catholic Education. Sydney: La Salle Academy, ACU.
• Aspland, T., Buchanan, M., Castleton, G., Hall, D. & Sultmann, W. F. (2019). La Salle Academy Research Report. Teacher (implementer) experience of the trial religious education curriculum framework. Sydney: La Salle Academy.
• Aspland, T., Buchanan, M., Castleton, G., Hall, D. & Sultmann, W. F. (2019). La Salle Academy Research Report. Teacher experiences on the religious education trial curriculum in the Diocese of Parramatta. Sydney: La Salle Academy.
• Aspland, T., Buchanan, M., Castleton, G., Hall, D. & Sultmann, W. F. (2019). La Salle Academy Research Report. La Salle Academy Research Report. The trial religious education curriculum framework. Influence on student learning. Sydney: La Salle Academy.
• Aspland, T., Buchanan, M., Castleton, G., Hall, D. & Sultmann, W. F. (2019). La Salle Academy Research Report. Into the deep. Trial religious education curriculum framework. Four stages of development. Extracts from short reports. Sydney: La Salle Academy.
• Sultmann, W. F. (2013). Governance into the Future. An Oceania-wide report on governance directions. Brisbane: Oceania Province of the Christian Brothers.
• Sultmann, W. F. (2012). Imagination for Mission into the Future. A report on future directions. Brisbane: Oceania Province of the Christian Brothers.
• Sultmann, W. F. (2009). Living Church in Rural Queensland (2009). A report to heads of Churches in Queensland (Anglican, Catholic, Uniting and Lutheran) in relation to development of pastoral ecumenical services in rural and remote areas. Toowoomba: Diocese of Toowoomba.
• Sultmann, W. F., & &hellip Thornber, J. T. (2006). Foundations. National Planning Committee for School Governance. Sydney: Christian Brothers Australia.
• Sultmann, W. F., & &hellip Twomey, K. (2002). Sub-Committee: Student Protection in Queensland Catholic Schools: Policy Statement. Queensland Catholic Education Commission, Brisbane.
• Sultmann, W. F., & &hellip Rush, O. (1997). Board of Theological and Pastoral Education. A report to the Bishops of Queensland on the Legal Identity, Constitution and Implementation of a provincial body in support of theological and pastoral education.
• Sultmann, W. F. & Lock, B. (2001). Catholic Church Report to Queensland Crime Commission investigating paedophilia. Catholic Bishops' Conference and Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes in Queensland.
• Sultmann, W. F. (2000). Catholic Church Report to Forde Inquiry into abuse of children in Queensland residential institutions. Catholic Bishops' Conference and Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes in Queensland.
• Sultmann, W. F. (1995). Memorandum of Agreement - Catholic Education and the Government of the Republic of South Africa. Educational issues in the reconstruction of Catholic Education with particular regard to governance, ownership, finance, and system philosophy.
• Elkins, J. & &hellip Sultmann, W. (1987). Therapy Services in Queensland Schools. A fourth report to the Minister of Education Ministerial Advisory Council for Special Education.
• Quinn, M. G. & &hellip Sultmann, W. (1986). Special Education in Queensland Catholic Schools. A report to the State Minister for Education, Brisbane, Queensland Catholic Education Commission.
• Elkins, J. & &hellip Sultmann, W. F. (1983). Early identification of handicap in children the implications of the needs of the severely handicapped teacher education (1983). A third report to the Minister of Education, Ministerial Advisory Council for Special Education.

Projects:

Recent Selected Studies with Industry Funding

• 2020-2021 Brisbane Catholic Education Religion Meanding and Life RML Project: Sultmann, Ivers & Lamb
• 2019-2021 Sandhurst CSFI Project: Sultmann, Larkins & Lamb
• 2019-2020 Parramatta RE Project: Sultmann, Hall, Lamb & Borg
• 2020-2021 National Catholic Education Commission: Formation for Mission: Sultmann & Lamb
• 2021 National Catholic Education Commission: Facilitator's Guide for Formation: Sultmann & Lamb
• 2021-2022 Brsibane Catholic Education Mentoring: Hall, Sultmann & Goldburg

Accolades and awards: 

• Member of the Order of Australia AM
• Fellow: Australian College of Educators
• Fellow: Institute of Leaders and Managers
• Current Memberships: Australian Psychological Society, Australian Catholic Theological Association
• Commonwealth Innovations Program - Queensland Counsellor
• Travelling Scholar Australian College of Educators)
• Duke of Edinburgh - Gold Award

Appointments and affiliations:

• Ministerial appointment to Advisory council for Special Education in Queensland (two terms)
• Ministerial appointment to Board of Senior Secondary School Studies in Queensland (two terms) one term as Deputy Chair
• Ministerial appointment to Curriculum Council in Queensland (two terms)
• Ministerial appointment to Queensland Board of Teacher Registration (two terms)
• National Advisory and Planning Committee for Christian Brothers Educational Mission in Australia
• Chair of Standing Committee Chair for Formation within National Planning Committee for Christian Brothers Educational Mission in Australia
• Queensland Department of Education Guidance Officer to Child Care and Placement Committee; Social Services
• Queensland Department of Education Guidance Officer to Wilson Youth Hospital, Child Psychiatric facility - Brisbane
• Queensland Catholic Education Commission representative on State-wide consultative forums on Special Education, Multicultural Education, Residential Care.
• Adjunct Professor University of Queensland
• Adjunct Professor James Cook University
• Elected Chair of the Australian College of Educators National Council
• Elected Chair (two terms) Australian College of Educators Queensland Division
• Elected Chair (three terms) Relationships Australia (Mount Isa and Brisbane Branches)
• Elected Chair (two terms) Relationships Australia Queensland
• Australian Catholic University - Queensland Chapter Advisory CouncilChair Residential Colleges Council (USQ)
• Queensland Bishops Liaison Nominee to the Forde Inquiry into Residential Institutional Abuse in Queensland
• Queensland Bishops Liaison Nominee to Pedophilia in Queensland (Project Axis)
• Chair of Taskforce commissioned by Queensland Bishops into Theological Education in Queensland
• Queensland Bishops representative to the amalgamation of Theological Institutes -- Brisbane College of Theology and ACU
• Griffith Institute for Educational Research - Advisory Group
• Board Director: Not for Profit International Language School for ministry outreach in Oceania
• Board Director: Not for Profit, Foundation for ministries in Oceania
• Elected Chair Mount Isa Welfare Council (Inter-agency Prof. Body)
• SPELD Professional Committee
• Elected Selector National Tertiary Colleges Rugby Union
• State Examiner - Royal Life Saving Society - Queensland

Editorial roles: 

• Editor La Salle Publications - (numbering eight to 2021)
• Broken Bay The Australian Institute of Theological Education (BBI TAITE) Eitorial Advisory Board
• Griffith Institute for Educational Research - Advisory Group
• Co-Supervision of HDR students across 2017-2021 (12)
• Editorial advisory committee: Queensland Curriculum Advisory Council to the Minister for Education

International journal review panel: 

• Journal and Book Reviews for international publications
• Religious Education in Hungary 2021
• Catholic Religious Education and Values: Selected papers in proceedings of Malta Conference 2019
• International Studies in Religious Education and Values: Selected papers for digital conference, Sweden, 2021
• Book Review: Edmund Rice an Educational liberator - published in International Studies in Catholic Education
• Book Review: Faith practice 2020 - published in J of RE.
• Book Review: Curriculum and Catholic Identity by Gleeson and Goldburg 2020 published in J of RE
• Book Review: Pedagogy and the Catholic Educator by D'Orsa and D'Orsa 2021 - online digital launch
• Book Review: Reflections of an educator by Michael Middleton 2021 (in press)
• Springer Book Review, Current: Formation: Saint Paul and the Education Encounter: Lessons on Love, Event and Change

Grant agency review panel:

• Diocese of Parramatta, Religious Education Trial Curriculum Research 2019 -2020 ($50,000)
• National Catholic Education Commission Review of Formation 2019-2020 ($30,000)
• National Catholic Education Commission Facilitator's Guide 2021 ($6,000)
• Archdiocese of Brisbane Review of Religion Meaning and Life - Baseline and Final Report 2021($30,000)
• Archdiocese of Brisbane Accompaniment Programme Stages 1 and 2 2021-2022 ($30,000)
• Diocese of Rockhampton Governance and Leaders Programme 2021-2022 ($32,000)
• Diocese of Sandhurst: Development and Trialling of Catholic School Formation Index 2021 ($5,000)