Dr Matt Sexton
Director of Mathematics Teaching and Learning Centre (MTLC)
Faculty of Education and Arts
Senior Lecturer, Mathematics Education
Areas of expertise: Mathematics curriculum leadership in schools; primary mathematics education; middle leadership in schools; teacher professional learning; cultural historical activity theory, developmental work research
Phone: +61 3 9953 3283
Email: matthew.sexton@acu.edu.au
Location: ACU Melbourne Campus
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0856-8413
Dr Matt Sexton (PhD, MEd, BA, BTeach) is the Director of the Mathematics Teaching and Learning Centre (MTLC) and a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education for the Faculty of Education and Arts (FEA) Matt joined ACU in 2010, working with pre-service teachers in mathematics education, where he has since received four Executive Dean commendations for teaching excellence, and in 2023, received the FEA Excellence in Teaching Award for outstanding teaching. Since taking over as MTLC Director in 2018, Matt has generated approx. $520,000 of revenue for the MTLC, supported by grants and other professional learning project funds. In 2024, Matt won the Early Career Researcher Award at the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA) for outstanding paper and presentation. Matt has led a Symposium and several Round Tables at MERGA conferences focused on research findings about the middle leading of mathematics in schools. In 2025, Matt won an Early Career Research grant at ACU for a project to support mathematics leaders in leading reform initiated through policy mandates.
With his focus on building relationships through school-university-industry partnerships, Matt works with school communities and education sectors across Australia, often teaching mathematics lessons in schools, working with classroom teachers, and mentoring mathematics leaders. He researches in mathematics leadership using qualitative research informed by cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) and provides leadership professional development focusing on improving school mathematics.
View academia profile
Select publications
Book chapters (edited)
- Sexton, M. (2025). Methodological considerations using cultural-historical activity theory to research mathematics leadership at times of educational reform. In P.J. White, R. Tytler, J.P. Ferguson, J. Cripps Clark, J.P. Brown (Eds.), Methodological approaches to STEM education research (Vol. 6, pp. 147-168). Cambridge Scholars.
- Gervasoni, A., Hunter, R., Bicknell, B., & Sexton, M.(2012). Powerful pedagogical actions in mathematics education. In B. Perry, T. Lowrie, T. Logan, A. MacDonald, & J. Greenlees (Eds.), Research in mathematics education in Australasia 2008-2011 (pp. 193 - 218). Sense.
Refereed journal articles
- Sexton, M.& Downton, A. (2014). School mathematics leaders' beliefs about their role when participating in a school mathematics project. Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 19(3), 3-5.
- Clarke, D., Roche, A., Wilkie, K., Wright, V., Brown, J., Downton, A., Horne, M., Knight, R., McDonough, A., Sexton, M., & Worrall, C. (2013). Demonstration lessons in mathematics education: Teachers' observation foci and intended changes in practice. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 25(2), 217-230.
- Sexton, M., Gervasoni, A., & Brandenburg, R. (2009). Using a concept cartoon to gain insight into children's calculation strategies. Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 4(14), 24-28.
Refereed conference papers
- Sexton, M. (2025). Conceptualising primary school mathematics leadership as poly-motivated activity. In S. M. Patahuddin, L. Gaunt, D. Harris & K. Tripet (Eds.), Unlocking minds in mathematics education. Proceedings of the 47th annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 405-412). MERGA.
- Sexton, M. (2024). Mathematics leaders as agents of project sustainability. In J. Visnovska. E. Ross, & S. Getenet (Eds.), Surfing the waves of mathematics education. Proceedings of the 46th annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (pp. 487-494). MERGA.
- Sexton, M., & Lamb, J. (2023). Evidencing relational trust within mathematics leadership activity. In B. Reid-O'Connor, E. Prieto-Rodriguez, K. Holmes, & A. Hughes (Eds.), Weaving mathematics education from all perspectives (Proceedings of the 45th annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, pp. 459-466). MERGA.
- Sexton, M., & Nuttall, J. (2021). Leadership of strengths-based approaches for early years mathematics education: Using CHAT as a framework for educational leaders' professional learning leadership. In Y. H. Leong, B. Kaur, B. H. Choy, J. B. W. Yeo, & S. L. Chin (Eds.), Excellence in mathematics education: Foundations and pathways (Proceedings of the 43rd annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, pp. 92-95). MERGA.
- Sexton, M. (2019). Object-motives of mathematics leaders' professional learning leadership during participation in a mathematics project. In G. Hine, S. Blackley, & A. Cooke (Eds.). Mathematics education research: Impacting practice (Proceedings of the 42nd annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, pp. 660-667). MERGA.
- Sexton, M., & Lamb, J. (2017). Using activity theory to understand a mathematics leaders' motivations and use of mathematical knowledge for teaching. In A. Downton, S. Livy, & J. Hall (Eds.), 40 years on: We are still learning! (Proceedings of the 40th annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, pp. 466-473). MERGA.
- Sexton, M., & Downton, A. (2014). School mathematics leaders' perceptions of successes and challenges of their leadership role within a mathematics improvement project. In J. Anderson, M. Cavanagh, & A. Prescott (Eds.), Curriculum in focus: Research guided practice (Proceedings of the 37th annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, pp.581-588). MERGA.
Books
- Clarke, D., Roche, A., & Sexton, M. (2022). Engaging maths: 21 more favourite lessons. Classic Press.
Reports
- Clarke, D., Downton, A., Clarkson, P., Roche, A., Sexton, M., Wilkie, K., Brown, J., Hamilton, L., Horne, M., Knight, R., McDonough, A., Scott, A., & Wright, V. (2013). Contemporary teaching and learning of mathematics 2012: Report to CEO Melbourne. Australian Catholic University.
- Clarke, D., Downton, A., Clarkson, P., Roche, A., Sexton, M., Brown, J., Hamilton, L., Horne, M., Knight, R., McDonough, A., Scott, A., Wilkie, K., & Wright, V. (2012). Contemporary teaching and learning of mathematics 2011: Report to CEO Melbourne. Australian Catholic University.
- Clarke, D., Downton, A., Brown, J., Clarkson, P., Hamilton, L., Horne, M., Knight, R., McDonough, A., Roche, A., Scott, A., & Sexton, M. (2011). Contemporary teaching and learning of mathematics 2010: Report to CEO Melbourne. Australian Catholic University.
Professional journal articles
- Sexton, M. (2019). Diffy towers: Exploring subtraction as difference. Prime Number, 34(3), 24-27.
- Sexton, M. (2015). Two of my favourite mathematical tasks for the early years. Prime Number, 30(3), 9-11.
- Sexton, M., Brown, J., & Downton, A. (2010). Understanding fractions. Prime Number, 25(4), 3-6.
- Sexton, M. & Weedon, L. (2009). CEOM strategic support and the School Advisor Mathematics. Learning Matters, 14(1), 63-64.
Projects
2026
- Mathematics Online Interview and Fractions and Decimals Online Interview: Professional Learning and Guidance Project (Project Co-Lead with Professor Tracy Muir): ~$249,920 (Victorian Department of Education)
- Cairns Diocese Middle Leading of Mathematics project incl. bespoke in-school coaching (Project Lead): ~$25,000 (Cairns Catholic Schools, Queensland)
- Middle Leading of Mathematics Professional Learning (Project Lead): $11,800 (Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited, Victoria)
- Leading Teaching and Learning in Fractions (Project Lead): ~$6,000 (Brisbane Catholic Education, Queensland)
- Diocesan Approach to Numeracy (Academic Lead): ~$10,000 (Toowoomba Catholic Schools, Queensland)
- From helpful to impactful: Remediating in-classroom support as mathematics professional learning in Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns primary schools (Project Lead): ~$6,500 (Cairns Catholic Schools, Queensland)
- Mathematics learning-rich leadership in primary schools at times of educational reform (Project Lead): ~$5986 (ACU)
2025
- Foundation A-D content descriptions for Mathematics Curriculum Companion 2.0 (Project Lead): ~$54,999 (Victorian Department of Education)
- Cairns Diocese Middle Leading of Mathematics project incl. bespoke in-school coaching (Project Lead): ~$36,650 (Cairns Catholic Schools, Queensland)
- Middle Leading of Mathematics Professional Learning (Project Lead): ~$11,800 (Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited, Victoria)
- Leading Mathematics in BCE Primary and Secondary Schools (Project Lead): ~$21,495 (Brisbane Catholic Education, Queensland)
2024
- Remediation of the Mathematics Curriculum Companion (Project Co-Lead with Dr Claudia Orellana-Farias): $265,000 (Department of Education, Victoria)
- Cairns Diocese Middle Leading of Mathematics project (Project Lead): ~$11,000 (Cairns Catholic Schools, Queensland)
- Middle Leading of Mathematics Professional Learning (Project Lead): ~$9,500 (Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited, Victoria)
- Leading Mathematics in BCE Primary Schools (Project Lead): ~$6,500 (Brisbane Catholic Education, Queensland)
2023
- Mathematics Leadership Mentor Program: Mathematics Leadership in Rural and Marginalised Communities (Project Lead):~ $36,400 (ACU Equity Pathways funding)
- Leading Excellence in Mathematics with Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (Project Co-lead): ~$20,000 (Catholic Education Parramatta Diocese funding)
- Mathematics Online Interview (MOI) and Fractions and Decimals Online Interview (FDOI) Report Enhance project (Project Team Member): ~$111,500 (Victorian Department of Education and Training tender funding)
2022
- Mathematics Leader Mentor Program: An equity program for maths leaders working in regional and marginalised school communities (MTLC & Equity Pathways professional development project): ~$33,500 (ACU Equity Pathways funding)
2021
- Being and doing the work of mathematics leadership: A remote professional learning series for Parramatta Diocesan numeracy leaders (MTLC professional development project): ~$5,200 (Catholic Education Parramatta Diocese funding)
2010-2012
- Contemporary Teaching and Learning of Mathematics Project (ACU & CEOM research and professional development project): ~$1,029,000 (CEOM funding, 2008-2012)
2010-2012
- University Partnerships for Teaching and Learning Mathematics (ACU pre-service teacher capacity building project within CTLM): ~$12,000 (ACU internal funding)
Accolades
2025
- Early Career Research (ECR) Grant winner: Mathematics learning-rich leadership in primary schools at times of educational reform ($5986)
2024
- Early Career Research (ECR) Award winner at Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia
2023
- Faculty of Education and Arts 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award
2022
- Faculty of Education and Arts Executive Dean's Commendation: Excellence in Teaching (Outstanding results in SELT Surveys)
2017
- Faculty of Education and Arts Executive Dean's Commendation: Excellence in Teaching (Outstanding results in SELT Surveys)
Appointments
- Director and Board Member of the Mathematical Association of Victoria (MAV)
- Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA)
- Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
International journal review panels
- Mathematics Teacher Education and Development Journal (2021-present)
- Mathematics Education Research Journal (2019-present)
Public engagement activities
Keynote Speaker and Invited Workshop Presenter
- Mathematics Leadership in times of change (Invited podcast): Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (2026)
- Operationalising cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) to inform research designs that investigate mathematics leadership in schools (Keynote presentation): Contemporary Approaches to Research in Mathematics, Science, Health & Environmental Education Symposium (2025)
- Aiming high by leading well: Strategies for school mathematics leadership that challenges mathematics learning (Keynote presentation): Mathematical Association of Victoria (MAV) conference: 60th annual MAV conference 2023 (November 2023)
- Doing and growing the work of mathematics leadership in schools (Keynote and workshop presentation): Diocese of Sandhurst Catholic Education (2022)
- Connecting and building relationships with school communities through mathematics education: An Equity Pathways and MTLC mathematics leadership initiative (Invited presentation): Equity@ ACU Symposium (2022)
- Teaching place value in the primary years (Keynote presentation): Diocese of Rockhampton Catholic Education (2022)
- Using professional learning protocols in mathematics leadership (Keynote presentation): Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education (2022)
