ACU Researcher

Dr Donnie Adams

Associate Professor in Education Leadership
National School of Education, Faculty of Education and Arts

Areas of expertise: educational leadership; educational management; educational administration; mixed methods research

Email: [email protected]

Location: ACU Melbourne Campus

HDR Supervisor accreditation status: HDR Principal Supervisor (Full)

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7777-5187

Associate Professor Dr Donnie Adams is a scholar in Educational Leadership and Management, with expertise in inclusive school leadership, artificial intelligence in school leadership, and systemic reform in inclusive education across the Asia-Pacific region. Dr. Adams is passionate about developing educational leaders who can improve student outcomes, strengthen inclusive practices and make meaningful contributions to their schools and communities.

Dr Adams has develop a strong international profile through his research, leadership and partnership work across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to joining Australian Catholic University, he was at the University of Melbourne and previously served as Director of the Centre for Research in International and Comparative Education (CRICE) at the University of Malaya, Malaysia. He has led and contributed to research and development projects with government ministries and leading international organisations, including the Ministries of Education in Malaysia and the Maldives, the Department of Education Philippines, The HEAD Foundation, the British Council, UNICEF, ETH Zürich, and Teach for Malaysia.

Dr Adams was included in the 2026 Stanford/Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists ranking. He was also awarded the ACEL Victoria Fellowship Award in 2025  for his outstanding contributions to educational leadership at the state and national levels, and the Emerald Young Researcher Award in 2021. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Educational Research and Evaluation, Senior Editor of Cogent Education, and Associate Editor of School Leadership & Management and Leadership and Policy in Schools.

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Journal Articles

• Adams, D., & Feng, X. (2026). School leaders’ acceptance and use of artificial intelligence in China. Educational Studies, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2026.2708320
• Adams, D., Rodgers, D. J., Panayiotou, G., Pazey, B. L., & Ataran, A. (2026). Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Concerns: Policy Responses Across U.S. Federal and State Systems. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/15700763.2026.2694407
• Adams, D., Salha, S., & Arar, K. (2026). Leading schools through wartime in Palestine. Journal of Educational Administration. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-08-2025-0331
• Adams, D., Sothinathan, J. S., & Mohd Radzi, N. (2026). From support to strategy: middle leaders’ roles in fostering teachers’ professional learning and development in schools. Professional Development in Education, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2026.2627334
• Adams, D., Sothinathan, J. S., & Md Radzi, N. (2026). Science mapping the evolution of middle leadership research, 2002–2023. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 54(1), 28-45. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432241257893
• Adams, D., Moosa, V., Shareefa, M., Mohamed, A., & Tan, K. L. (2025). Assessing inclusive school leadership practices in Malaysia: Instrument adaptation and validation. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 72(2), 263-281. https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2024.2354895
• Adams, D., Harris, A., Moosa, V., Jones, M., & Khaleel, S. (2025). Science mapping the knowledge base of distributed leadership in schools, 1988 to 2023. Educational Management Administration & Leadership. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432251320782
• Adams, D., Feng, X., & Omar, I. M. (2025). Review of the knowledge base of servant leadership in higher education research, 1998 to 2023. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360080X.2025.247074
• Adams, D., & Thompson, P. (2025). Transforming School Leadership with Artificial Intelligence: Applications, Implications, and Future Directions. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 24(1), 77–89. https://doi.org/10.1080/15700763.2024.2411295
• Adams, D., Cheah, K. S. L., Thien, L. M., & Md Yusoff, N. N. (2024). Leading schools through the COVID-19 crisis in a South-East Asian country. Management in Education, 38(2), 72-78. https://doi.org/10.1177/08920206211037738
• Adams, D., Namoco, S. O., Ng, A. Y. M., & Cheah, K. S. (2023). Leading schools during a pandemic and beyond: Insights from principals in the Philippines. Management in Education, https://doi.org/10.1177/0892020623117735.
• Adams, D., Thien, L. M., Chin, E. Y. C., & Semaadderi, P. (2023). The elusive Malayan tiger ‘captured’: A systematic review of research on educational 
• leadership and management in Malaysia. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 51(3), 673-692. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143221998697
• Adams, D., Koh, S. H.-H., & Beecher, A. (2026). Empowering teachers, fostering inclusion through distributed leadership practices. Leading & Managing, 32(2), 88–102.
• Adams, D., Harrison, M., & Mosen, J. (2025). Inclusive sustainable development goals in Southeast Asia. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 71(6), 793–795. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2025.2539617
• Adams, D., Osman, R., Sisavath, S., & Boupha, B. (2025). Leading inclusive education initiatives: comparative insights from Malaysia, Lao PDR, and Brunei. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 71(6), 814–823. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2025.2514639.
• Adams, D., Mohamed, A., Moosa, V., Shareefa, M., & Tan, K. L. (2025). Toward effective inclusive practices: dynamics among school leadership, academic optimism, and teacher collaboration. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 71(6), 867–878. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2025.2479746

Books

• Adams, D., & Gurr, D. (Eds.). (2026). Technology and digital educational leadership: The future of education. Routledge.
• Adams, D., Gurr, D., Dunn, R., & Feng, X. (2025). Servant leadership in educational organisations: Leading with empathy and purpose. Emerald Publishing.
• Adams, D. (Ed.). (2023). Educational leadership: Contemporary theories, principles, and practices. Springer.
• Adams, D. (Ed.). (2023). Education in Malaysia: Developments, reforms and prospects. Routledge.
• Adams, D. (Eds.). (2018). Mastering theories of educational leadership and management. Universiti Malaya Press

Book Chapters

• Adams, D. (2026). Empowering Educators, Enriching Education: A Scoping Review of School Leadership and Teacher Collaboration in Malaysia. In: Chi-Kin Lee, J. (Ed) Handbook of Asian Educational Innovation towards the Futures of Education. Springer International Handbooks of Education. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-3901-4_25-1
• Adams, D., Chuah, K. M. & Thompson, P. (2025). Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Transform Leadership Development. In D. Adams & D. Gurr (Eds.), Technology and digital educational leadership: The future of Education (pp. 215–219). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003514732-13
• Adams, D., & Gurr, D. (2025). A call to lead boldly and imaginatively. In D. Adams & D. Gurr (Eds.), Technology and digital educational leadership: The future of education (pp. 215–219). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003514732-13
• Adams, D. (2025). Shaping the Future: Digital Leadership and the Transformation of Education. In D. Adams & D. Gurr (Eds.), Technology and digital educational leadership: The future of education (pp. 1–10). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003514732-13
• Adams, D., & Periasamy, R. (2024). Instructional leadership practices in primary schools: A Malaysian Indian culture perspectives. In P. Liu, & L. M. Thien, (Eds.), Educational leadership and asian culture: Culturally sensitive leadership practice (pp. 100-116). Routledge.

Projects

• Developing a School Leadership for an Inclusive Education Model: A Grounded Theory Approach (2023) funded by Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia
• Developing an Alternative Learning Pathway Design and Implementation Support for Children at Risk (2023) funded by Ministry of Education, Republic of Maldives, Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and World Bank
• Leadership and School Health Promotion in Context (2023) funded by ETH Zürich, Switzerland
• Teaching, Assessment, and Leadership in the 21st Century Learning Spaces, (2023) funded by Asian Center of Education, Research, and Training for Innovation (ACERT), Philippines
• Impact of Teach for Malaysia’s Non-Teaching Alumni on Education Ecosystem (2022) funded by Teach for Malaysia
• Development of a School-based Program for Enhancing Holistic Development of Children with Special Needs (2022) funded by RYTHM Foundation, Qi Group, Malaysia
• Leadership and Health Promotion in Schools and Coping with The Covid-19 Crisis (2021) funded by ETH Zürich, Switzerland
• Initiatives to Assist Mental Health Care Amongst Children and Adolescents During the Covid-19 Pandemic (2021) funded by UNICEF, Malaysia
• Attributes of Successful School Leaders (2020) funded by The British Council, Nepal
• Turnaround Schools in Malaysia and Indonesia: A Comparative Analysis, (2017) funded by The HEAD Foundation, Singapore

Awards

• ACEL (VIC) Fellowship Award (2025) by the Australian Council for Educational Leaders
• Emerald Young Researcher Award (2021) by Emerald Publishing
• Asian Universities Alliance (AuA) Scholars Award, 2019
• Asian Universities Alliance (AuA) Scholars Award, 2018
• Gold Medals for 'Best Delegation' and 'Most Influential Idea' Awards for The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 2017

Appointments and affiliations

• Educational Leadership SIG Convenor under Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE)
• Inclusive Leadership RIG Co-Convenor under British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society (BELMAS), UK
• Industry Advisory Board for INTI International University, Malaysia
• International Affiliate at Centre for International Research into Leadership in Education (CIRLE) at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Wales

Editorial roles

• Co-Editor-in-Chief, Educational Research and Evaluation
• Senior Editor, Cogent Education
• Associate Editor, School Leadership & Management
• Associate Editor, Leadership and Policy in Schools
• Editorial Board Member, Educational Studies
• Editorial Board Member, International Journal of Developmental Disabilities
• Editorial Board Member, Management in Education (MiE)
• Editorial Board Member, International Journal of Educational Management
• Editorial Board Member, Improving Schools (March 2025 – present)
• Editorial Board Member, Leading & Managing

Higher degree research supervision

Ongoing Doctoral Supervision (PhD) as Principal Supervisor

• Aleia Beecher. Exploring Leadership Perspectives on Disability Inclusion: Transition Challenges and Opportunities in Victorian Secondary Schools
• Chaoyi Zhang. Mediating Effect of Job Satisfaction on Supervisor’s Transformational Leadership and Service Quality at a Higher Education Institution in Kuala Lumpur
• Wong Poh Swan. Mediating Effect of Teachers’ Self-Efficacy on the Relationship Between Principals’ Distributed Leadership and Teachers’ Job Satisfaction in Selected Private Preschools in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Completed Doctoral Supervision (PhD) as Principal Supervisor

• Feng Xueling. (2025). Examining Leader-Member Exchange on Faculty Leaders' Servant Leadership and Lecturers' Psychological Capital: A Malaysian Public University Case Study.
• Jayanti Sothinathan. (2024). Mediating Effect of Teacher Job Satisfaction on the Relationship between Middle Leadership Roles and Teacher Commitment in Primary Trust Schools 2.0. (Received Doctoral Degree with Distinction)
• Zhang Yuting. (2022). Relationship between Leader’s Technology Leadership Practices, Teacher ICT Competency and ICT Integration at Two Public Universities in China.
• Joseph Malaluan Velarde. (2021). Mediating Effect of Leadership Styles on the Relationship Between Cultural Intelligence and Organizational Health of National Secondary Schools in Kuala Lumpur.
• Ravadhi Periasamy. (2021). Headmistresses Instructional Leadership in National Type Tamil Schools in Kuala Lumpur.
• Vicneswary Muthiah. (2021). Mediating Effect of Teachers’ Job Satisfaction on Principals’ Distributed Leadership and Teachers’ Organizational Commitment at International Schools in Kuala Lumpur.
• Edward Devadason A/L Yanakan Yowan. (2020). Instructional Leadership Practices of Primary School Leaders in Petaling Perdana District, Selangor: A Case Study

Completed Masters Supervision as Principal Supervisor

• Danny Dale Julius. (2023). Exploring Principal’s Inclusive Leadership Practices at Selected Secondary Schools in Kuala Lumpur.
• Lee Jia Huah. (2023). Teacher Leadership Practices Among Orang Asli Students in Primary School in Selangor: A Case Study.
• Abdullahi Farah Mire. (2023). Exploring Leadership Practices Among Secondary School Principals in Bosaso, Somalia.
• Li Jialing. (2023). The Relationship Between Principal’s Integrated Leadership and Teacher Professional Learning in Selected High Schools in Zhejiang City, China.
• Chen Huimin. (2023). Principals’ Ethical Leadership and Primary School Teachers’ Job Satisfaction in Jiangsu Province, China.
• Sharrlininair Atchugan. (2023). Headmaster’s Leadership Behaviours and Teacher’s Work Stress in Selected National Primary Schools in Kuala Langat District, Selangor.
• Lee Ngok Foong. (2023). Principals’ Pedagogical Leadership in Private International Schools in Klang Valley, Selangor.
• Veronica Rajes Shanmukam. (2023). Middle Leaders’ Distributed Leadership and Teachers’ Self-Efficacy in National Secondary Schools, Kuala Lumpur.
• Hassan Hameed Ibrahim. (2022). Principals' Leadership Preparation Program in Maldives.
• Shujaath Khaleel. (2022). Principals' Distributed Leadership Practices in Public Schools of Male' City.
• Shaheera Hussain. (2022). Principals' Inclusive School Leadership Practices in Thaa Atoll, Maldives.
• Maryam Ahmed Rashid Alghannami. (2021). Professional Development among English Male Teachers as a Foreign Language in Basic Education Schools in the Sultanate of Oman.
• Thevi Subramaniam. (2021). Relationship Between Principals' Emotional Intelligence and Transformational Leadership Practices in Tamil Primary Schools at Petaling Perdana District.
• Tan King Lok. (2020). Leadership Opportunities in Co-Curriculum Activities for Students with Disabilities in a Malaysian School.
• Bong Mei Chin. (2020). Leadership Style of Life Insurance Leader and Job Satisfaction of Life Insurance Agents in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
• Ma Meichen. (2019). International Students Leadership in Social and Culture Adaptations: A Case Study in a Public Higher Education Institution in Kuala Lumpur.
• Pavithra Semaadderi. (2018). Principals' Leadership Styles and Teachers' Collaboration in International Schools in Klang Valley.
• Rajaletchumy Kolandavelu. (2018). Implementation Of Teaching and Learning Strategies for Pupils with Special Needs: A Case Study.
• Sharon Ann Fernandez Antony. (2017). A Case Study on the Effectiveness of Professional Learning Communities in a Malaysian Trust School.