Melissa Cain

Melissa Cain currently serves as Senior Lecturer and National Head of Discipline for Secondary Initial Teacher Education at Australian Catholic University (ACU), after previous roles at the University of Queensland and Griffith University. Her academic work focuses on inclusive education, particularly for students with vision impairment, and creative arts education. Her research portfolio includes significant international projects such as "Teaching and Learning in COVID-19 Times" and "The Role of Mentoring for Young People with Blindness and Low Vision." With over 22 years of teaching experience in Australia and Southeast Asia, Cain has managed several large-scale national Learning and Teaching projects and developed an international MOOC through EdX and Microsoft. Her recent research examines equitable participation for students with vision impairment in mainstream schools, collaborating with teams across Canada, the USA, Singapore, and Pacific Small Island Nations. She actively engages with the low vision community through partnerships with Next Sense and Vision Australia, and serves as a goalball referee. Her contributions to education have been recognized through several higher education teaching awards, including the Callaway Doctoral Award