About Commonwealth Education Trust

Professor Gavin Brown has established himself as a leading authority in educational assessment as the Associate Dean Postgraduate Research and Director of the Quantitative Data Analysis and Research Unit at the University of Auckland. His diverse career path, beginning as an ESL teacher in Montreal and spanning a decade of secondary school teaching in New Zealand, led to significant contributions in standardized testing development at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research. As Senior Project Manager for the Assessment Tools for Teaching and Learning system, he played a crucial role in implementing nationwide educational assessment tools. His expertise has been sought internationally, providing assessment consultation in Brazil, Chile, China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa, while holding prestigious positions as Honorary Professor at the Education University of Hong Kong and Affiliate Professor at Umea University, Sweden. His influence in the field is further evidenced by his membership in the Technical Oversight Group Assessment at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and his co-authored textbook on educational assessment

Dr. Suseela Malakolunthu has established herself as a prominent figure in international education through her extensive academic career and research contributions. As an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Malaya, she brings expertise developed through her Ph.D. in Curriculum, Teaching, and Educational Policy from Michigan State University. Her distinguished career includes significant research appointments, notably as a Fulbright Senior Fellow at Stanford University studying multicultural education and leadership (2005-2006), Research Fellow at the Hong Kong Institute of Education (2009-2012), and Fellow at Cambridge University's Center for Commonwealth Education (2012). Her scholarly impact is evidenced through numerous publications in refereed journals, books, and research reports, while her expertise has been recognized through multiple fellowships and awards. As an influential voice in international education development, she regularly delivers keynote addresses at international conferences, contributing significantly to the fields of educational policy, multicultural education, and leadership development.

Professor George Oduro has established himself as a leading authority in educational leadership at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, building on his award-winning doctoral research from the University of Cambridge focusing on headteacher professional development. His comprehensive experience spans all levels of Ghana's educational system, encompassing both rural and urban environments, while his expertise in leadership strategies for improving teaching and learning quality has earned him prestigious roles. As the Local Director of the Leadership for Learning Ghana-Cambridge programme and a facilitator for the British Council Connecting Classrooms Project, he continues to shape educational leadership practices. His distinguished status is further recognized through fellowships at the Centre for Commonwealth Education, the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust, and the All Saints' Educational Trust, establishing him as a pivotal figure in advancing educational leadership across Ghana and beyond.

Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser have established themselves as pioneering figures in educational leadership through their roles as co-directors of the Centre for Innovative Educational Leadership at Vancouver Island University and co-leaders of Networks of Inquiry and Innovation. Their extensive careers span positions as teachers, principals, district leaders, and senior policy advisors to the Ministry of Education, earning them Distinguished Service Awards from the BC School Superintendents' Association in 2005. As Canada's representatives to the OECD's Innovative Learning Environments program and active members of the International Congress of School Effectiveness and Improvement, they have significantly influenced educational practices across Canada, Wales, England, and Australia. Their impact is further evidenced through their influential publications, including "Spirals of Inquiry" (2013), "Leadership Mindsets" (2009), and "Leading Professional Inquiry" (2014), which have helped reshape approaches to school transformation and professional development through innovative inquiry-based methodologies

Dr. Peter Keegan (Waikato-Maniapoto, Ngati Porou), a senior lecturer at Te Puna Wānanga, University of Auckland's Faculty of Education, has established himself as a leading authority in Māori language and indigenous education following his PhD in Applied Linguistics from Victoria University of Wellington in 2003. His significant contributions include coordinating Māori language developments for Project asTTle (Assessment Tools for Teaching and Learning), while his research encompasses crucial areas such as Māori word formation, pronunciation changes, and achievement in both English and Māori-medium educational contexts. As an expert in research methods for indigenous education, particularly in measurement and quantitative approaches, Dr. Keegan continues to bridge traditional knowledge with modern educational assessment techniques, making substantial contributions to the field of Māori and indigenous-medium education.

Dr. Fawaz Shareef has established himself as a prominent figure in digital education and research innovation through his current role as Director of the Institute for Research and Innovation at Villa College and his previous position as Deputy Vice Chancellor at the Maldives National University. His expertise in computer-based distance education, supported by a PhD in Information Systems from Massey University, New Zealand, has been instrumental in shaping educational technology across multiple institutions. His diverse experience includes roles as an eLearning Advisor at the Universal College of Learning and Lecturer at Massey University in New Zealand, while his current involvement in the Management Committee of VUSSC (Virtual University for the Small States of the Commonwealth) demonstrates his commitment to expanding educational access through technology. Through numerous research projects and international publications, Dr. Shareef continues to influence the development of digital learning across the Commonwealth nations.

Maria Gill has established herself as a prominent figure in children's literature as a full-time writer, qualified teacher, and journalist based in New Zealand. Her impressive career spans the creation of 62 non-fiction books, including the award-winning "Anzac Heroes," which won both the Non-fiction Award and Supreme Book of the Year prize at the 2016 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Her expertise in children's literature is reflected through her role as a lecturer at Massey University, co-development of the Coursera online course "Writing for Young Readers," and her eleven-year leadership of a nationwide writers' group. In 2020, her contributions were recognized with the prestigious Margaret Mahy Medal for services to children's literature. Her diverse portfolio includes works on native wildlife, conservation, history, and war, published through traditional, digital, and educational publishers, while she continues to engage with young readers through school visits and literary festivals

Professor Stephen Dinham, Chair of Teacher Education and Director of Learning and Teaching at the University of Melbourne, has established himself as a transformative figure in educational leadership following his early career as a government secondary school teacher in New South Wales. His influential work, particularly his acclaimed 2008 book "How to Get Your School Moving and Improving," has provided valuable insights into the relationship between teaching quality and student success. As President of the Australian College of Educators and Chair of the ACE Board, his contributions to educational research and professional development have earned him national recognition, including the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2011. His expertise continues to shape educational policy and practice through regular international presentations and consultancies with educational bodies worldwide.

Professor Dennis Francis has established himself as a pioneering figure in South African education through his role as Dean of Education at the University of the Free State and Honorary Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. With a doctorate in sociology, he has made significant contributions to social justice and sexuality education, earning accreditation from the National Research Foundation of South Africa and serving as chairperson of the South African Education Deans Forum. His influential publications, including "Acting on HIV: Using Drama to Create Possibilities for Change" (2011) and "Praxis towards Sustainable Empowering Learning Environments in South Africa" (2010), demonstrate his commitment to addressing crucial social issues through education. Through his leadership and scholarly work, Francis continues to shape educational policy and practice in South Africa, focusing on creating sustainable and empowering learning environments.

Professor John MacBeath, Professor Emeritus at the University of Cambridge, has established himself as a transformative figure in educational leadership through his extensive academic and policy work. His influential career includes serving on the UK Government National Schools Standards Task Force (1997-2001) and consulting for major international organizations including OECD, UNESCO, and the European Commission. As Project Director of the Centre for Commonwealth Education, he has significantly impacted educational policy in Ghana through collaboration with the University of Cape Coast. His contributions to education have been recognized with an OBE in 1997 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Edinburgh in 2009. MacBeath's scholarly impact is evidenced through his authorship of 20 books, including the notable "A Common Wealth of Learning" (2013) and "Learning in and out of School" (2012), cementing his position as a leading voice in global educational leadership.