Show Me
Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education
ILSTE is an interdisciplinary research institute committed to transforming children’s lives through education. We champion 21st-century teaching and learning, celebrate diversity, foster innovation, and build collaborations that shape better teaching and learning for everyone.
Our mission is to conduct rigorous, socially relevant, and ethically committed research that enhances outcomes for children, teachers, and the wider community. We believe education, health, and well-being are the foundations of life opportunities. That’s why we explore both cognitive and non-cognitive aspects of learning, generating new knowledge to break down barriers and foster social and economic inclusion. Across diverse disciplines, we share one clear goal: creating equitable opportunities for every learner.
Behind our work is a team of leading researchers and international scholars who tackle the big questions in education through funded projects with government and industry partners. By bringing together researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners, we turn evidence into action and ideas into impact.
Greg Thompson, Professor at ACU and Director of ILSTE, researches education policy, testing, teacher workload, and AI impacts. Former high school teacher, he previously taught at Murdoch, QUT, and edits education journals.
View profile
Professor Susan Edwards researches play-based learning, children’s digital lives, AI in early years, and leads major ARC projects shaping safe, equitable, and trustworthy early childhood education futures.
View profile
Professor Vince Geiger researches critical mathematical thinking – essential for generating solutions to current global challenges, including sustainability and social disadvantage. This research spans numeracy, mathematical modelling, and digital resources in mathematics education.
View profile
Professor Kathy A. Mills, ACU is a 3-time ARC Fellow leading a program of research in AI and Digital Citizenship and forging international & national partnerships.
View profile
Professor Len Unsworth has over 30 years’ experience in teacher education and research including several ARC projects, focusing on multimodal and digital literacy in English and curriculum area learning, children’s literature, and educational semiotics across K-12.
View profile
Associate Professor Jessica Holloway, ARC DECRA Fellow, researches teacher expertise, authority, and professionalism. She earned her PhD at Arizona State, taught at Kansas State, and joined Deakin University’s REDI Centre in 2016.
View profile
Associate Professor Steven Lewis researches education policy, governance, and teacher learning at ACU. An acclaimed author, editor, and ARC fellow, he examines digital data’s role in reshaping global educational policy and practice.
View profile
Professor Laura Scholes researches gender and critical literacies in the digital age. She has an extensive track record leading ARC and industry projects that advance pedagogical approaches to literacy education for practical application in schools.
View profile
Explore the Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment and see how we’re shaping quality teaching for tomorrow’s classrooms.
Learn moreMeet the people who make up ILSTE. Our team includes leading academics, graduate research students, and support staff, all bringing diverse disciplinary expertise to support and advance our research.
Learn moreWe believe education, health, and well-being shape life opportunities. Our research spans cognitive and non-cognitive aspects of learning, generating new knowledge to remove barriers and promote social and economic participation.
Learn moreReady to make a difference? Collaborate on cutting-edge projects, contribute to transformative studies, or pursue graduate research opportunities with us.
Learn more
Level 2, Building 200
1100 Nudgee Road Banyo, QLD 4014
Brisbane Campus
Chat to our team via social media.