Dean, School of Education, Lead Dean - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

Professor Michele Simons

Professor Michele Simons joined Western Sydney University from the University of South Australia where she had worked in a number of leadership roles in the School of Education, including a three and half year term as Dean and Head of School. She has qualifications in Human Services and Adult and Community Education and a PhD from the University of South Australia.

Professor Simons is an active researcher, having won a number of Category 1 grants from the ARC and from the National Vocational Education and Training Research and Evaluation Program. Her research interests include workforce development in education, learning in workplaces; educational leadership and policy and practice in vocational education and training.

Professor Simons is President of the Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA) and Treasurer for the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) and the Council for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS), Professor Simons is also a member of the Academic Board for Le Cordon Bleu. She has had experience serving on a range of government committees including the South Australian Teacher Education Taskforce and various state and federal government advisory groups for education and family services.