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Research Program Manager, Indigenous Game Changers Program, IPPE
Email: Jenny.McMullan@acu.edu.au
Dr Jennifer McMullan was born on the land of the Whadjuk-Noongar people in Perth, Western Australia, where she originally trained and worked as a secondary teacher. Her disciplinary background is in qualitative research, with deep expertise in ethnographic and participatory methods. Professionally, she has worked extensively across both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to deliver rigorous, evidence-based outcomes. She holds a PhD and Master of Research in Education from the Open University, UK, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, as well as a Master of Education from UNSW.
She is currently the Research Program Manager of the Game Changers program at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University. With over twenty years of experience in academic and applied research, she leads multidisciplinary teams to deliver large-scale, longitudinal research projects focused on education, wellbeing, and social impact.
Dr McMullan's work is grounded in a commitment to building capacity in communities and ensuring research translates into meaningful, practical outcomes. She has published in areas including Indigenous co-designed research, academic literacies, and wellbeing. Previously, she worked at PCYC NSW, where she led impact evaluation and strategic research to support youth empowerment.
Research Program Consultant, Indigenous Game Changers Program, IPPE
Email: Alicia.Egan@acu.edu.au
Dr Alicia Egan has contributed to the strategic leadership of the Indigenous Game Changers program over the past decade, overseeing a large and complex research program with multiple concurrent projects. With a background in Clinical Psychology, she is committed to developing, implementing, and evaluating programs that enable individuals and communities to flourish. Dr Egan has managed major grant-funded projects, including Australian Research Council initiatives, and has built strong partnerships with government, industry, and community stakeholders. She is experienced in translating positive psychology research into practice across schools, organisations, and community groups, and is dedicated to fostering meaningful and sustainable change.
Research Project Coordinator, Indigenous Game Changers Program, IPPE
Email: Clare.Clendinning@acu.edu.au
Clare Clendinning is a Research Project Coordinator with the Indigenous Game Changers team. In 2022-2023, she served as Acting Research Manager overseeing three major Australian Research Council projects: Deadly Start, Deadly Home Reading and Deadly Futures. She currently works as Project Coordinator on the Deadly University and Deadly Secondary Teacher Education programs whilst supporting the wider team on their respective projects.
Clare brings extensive experience across higher education, government, the arts, financial services, and not-for-profit sectors. Her career has taken her from working as a Research Associate at a customer and employee satisfaction organisation in Boston to leading strategic initiatives across Australia's university sector.
Clare's commitment to Indigenous research and education is reflected in her work at NSW Aboriginal Affairs, where she project managed two research projects contracted to universities and consultants.
Among her achievements in higher education, Clare provided senior-level project and administrative management to the Innovative Research Universities (IRU) network of seven member universities, where she was responsible for the network's communication strategy, publications, website, research, stakeholder engagement, and event management. She managed high-profile launches at Parliament House Canberra including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Group's "Statement of Intent" in 2014, as well as launches on work integrated learning and disaster resilience.
She holds a Bachelor of Business with a major in Marketing and a Graduate Certificate in Careers and Development.
Senior Research Officer, Indigenous Game Changers Program, IPPE
Email: Karen.Ling@acu.edu.au
Karen Ling holds a Bachelor of Business with a major in Finance and is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA). Karen has extensive experience in research project management previously at the University of Sydney and currently at the Australian Catholic University. Karen has played a pivotal role in coordinating the pilot phase of the Deadly Home Reading research project at IGC, which laid the foundation for the current large-scale ARC-funded initiative. Karen works collaboratively within the IPPE (IGC) team of research project managers, leading the coordination of research activities,community engagement events and contributing significantly to the success and visibility of IGC's research programs.
Senior Data Analyst, IPPE
Email: Diego.Vasconcellos@acu.edu.au
Dr Diego Vasconcellos brings expertise in educational psychology and data analytics to support the Indigenous Game Changer's evidence-based research and program development. With a PhD in Educational Psychology and specialised training in data analytics, he contributes to understanding motivational processes that underpin wellbeing and physical activity across diverse contexts including schools, competitive sport, and community settings. Dr Vasconcellos has contributed to high-impact research publications and systematic reviews, with his work being cited over 2600 times in leading journals. He has experience supervising research students at various levels and serves as a reviewer for multiple prestigious journals in psychology, education, and sport science. His commitment to translating research into practice is demonstrated through his teaching roles and collaborative work on projects that support student wellbeing and educational outcomes.
Research Project Officer, Indigenous Game Changers Program, IPPE
Email: Meghan.Kelleher@acu.edu.au
Meghan Kelleher holds a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and a Diploma of Children's Services. She has extensive experience as a primary school teacher in numerous roles in addition to experience in the early childhood sector.Meghan has worked as a Project Officer with the Australian Catholic University's Institute of Positive Psychology for the past 2 years, managing and supporting research projects including Deadly Start, Deadly Cultural Connections, and Deadly Home Reader. She has a strong interest in educational outcomes of Indigenous students particularly in the preschool and primary school sector. Meghan is committed to working towards equitable education outcomes and opportunities for Indigenous children and communities.
Research Project Officer, Indigenous Game Changers Program, IPPE
Email: Sarah.Naughton@acu.edu.au
Prior to entering the field of Education, Sarah Naughton had a fifteen-year career in the fashion industry. Working for well-known brands, Sarah excelled in her role as Production Manager,leading projects from conceptual design to manufacturing, driving strategic planning, and receiving recognition for process improvement.
To realign her work with her evolving values, interests, and strengths, Sarah undertook a Bachelor of Primary Education and Disability Studies at RMIT University (Naarm/Melbourne). Sarah was accepted to study a semester at the University of Oulu, Finland in Education for Intercultural Competencies. During her time in Finland Sarah taught English at Heikinharju Reception Centre for Startup Refugees, assisted with the Midnight Sun Summer School international education conference, and co-organisedIIokahvila - The Café of Joy, a Faculty of Education charity initiative.
Sarah has taught across Catholic, State, and international schools in Australia and Germany. Her pedagogy centres on inclusiveness, diversity, and wellbeing, fostering strong, collaborative relationships with families and communities.
Although frontline teaching was deeply rewarding, Sarah wanted to combine her skills in project management with her love of education. She is delighted to be a Research Project Officer for Deadly Futures and Deadly Home Reading at the Australian Catholic University and is committed to supporting impactful and culturally safe learning experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their families.
Born in Gadigal Country (Sydney) and now living in Awabakal Country (Newcastle), Sarah enjoys gardening, travelling, and spending time with loved ones.
Research Project Officer, Indigenous Game Changers Program, IPPE
Email: Jonathan.Dekirmenjian@acu.edu.au
Jonathan is the Research Project Officer for the Deadly Primary Teaching project at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychological Science, and is currently pursuing further education in the field. He is committed to advancing educational opportunities and wellbeing for Indigenous students, with a special focus on ensuring that our work is both culturally responsive and impactful.
Research Intern, Indigenous Game Changers Program, IPPE
Email: latifah.rogers@acu.edu.au
I am a proud Noongar and Mirriwong woman, now living and working on Dharug country. I Currently work as an Indigenous research intern with the Institute of positive psychology and education assisting in the Indigenous game changers projects.The internship allows me to gain research skills and real-life experiences liaising with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families and organisations.I have recently completed a Bachelor of Nursing at the Australian Catholic University (ACU), In which both my degree and work as an intern aligns with my passionof improving the health and wellbeing for all my people.
Research Intern, Indigenous Game Changers Program, IPPE
Email: Bree.Summerhayes@acu.edu.au
Bree is a proud Biripi woman and an Indigenous undergraduate student at Australian Catholic University (ACU), currently completing a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. She is a Research Intern at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education at ACU, working with the Indigenous Game Changers Research Program. As a part of her internship, she has developed strong research skills while assisting with data collection, analysis, and literature reviews. She is contributing to multiple projects across the program, with a focus on Indigenous wellbeing and strengths-based approaches to research.
Research Assistant/Tutor, Indigenous Game Changers Program, IPPE
Email: Adoni.Chessells@acu.edu.au
Adoni Chessells, a Gamilaraay man raised on Wurundjeri Country, advocates for First Nations education, wellbeing and LGBTQIA+ rights. He contributed to headspace's shift from Yarn Safe to the Take a Step campaign supporting Indigenous youth mental health, wellbeing and literacy, and worked with YACVIC during COVID 19 on culturally responsive youth vaccination. He is studying a Bachelor of Primary and Inclusive Education at ACU and serves as an Indigenous Ambassador at ACU's Naarm campus. In 2024 he completed the Indigenous Research Internship and now tutors on the Deadly Futures Program, while exploring PhD pathways with IPPE.