Meet our Researchers

These videos profile researchers from across the Faculty of Humanities whose work is shaping conversations in their fields and making a difference in the world. These researchers share insights into their current projects, including the questions that drive them and real-world applications. 

Professor Jill Aldridge | School of Education

Professor Jill Aldridge is a leading international researcher in learning environments and educational change, based in the School of Education at Curtin University. Her work focuses on school and classroom climate, professional learning, and reform implementation. Aldridge has developed and validated instruments used globally to assess learning environments and has worked extensively with schools to translate research into practical strategies. She has published widely and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Learning Environments Research. Her research has shaped approaches to student wellbeing, teacher efficacy, and inclusive education across diverse cultural contexts, making a significant impact on policy and practice.

Distinguished Professor Katie Ellis | School of Media, Creative Art and Social Inquiry

Professor Katie Ellis is a John Curtin Distinguished Professor and ARC Mid-Career Industry Fellow at Curtin University. A leading scholar in disability, media, and digital inclusion, she has authored or edited over 19 books and heads the Routledge Research in Disability Media Studies series. Her research has influenced national policy, including the introduction of audio description on Australian television. Widely recognised for her contributions to critical disability studies, Ellis received the John de Laeter Award for Research Leadership. Her work continues to shape inclusive digital futures through innovative research, advocacy, and collaboration across academia, industry, and community sectors. 

Professor Tama Leaver | School of Media, Creative Art and Social Inquiry

Professor Tama Leaver is a leading scholar in Internet Studies at Curtin University, specialising in digital childhood, artificial intelligence, privacy and  social media. He is a Chief Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child and former President of the Association of Internet Researchers. He has authored and edited numerous influential books, including Instagram: Visual Social Media Cultures and Gaming Disability. His research explores the impact of generative AI, datafication, and digital death. A regular media commentator and award-winning educator, Leaver continues to shape public discourse on digital culture and children’s rights in online environments. 

Distinguished Professor Kim Scott | School of Media, Creative Art and Social Inquiry

Professor Kim Scott is a John Curtin Distinguished Professor at Curtin University and one of Australia’s most celebrated authors. Proud to be one among those who call themselves Noongar – the Aboriginal people of south-western Australia, Scott has twice won the Miles Franklin Literary Award for Benang: From the Heart and That Deadman Dance. His work explores Indigenous identity, language, and history, and reflects his deep interest in cultural and ecological renewal in the context of colonization.  He is convenor of Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories, a community organisation revitalising Noongar heritage through bilingual publications and performance. Widely recognised for his literary and cultural contributions, Scott is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities and a WA State Cultural Treasure.