Anna Sullivan

Professor Anna Sullivan serves as Director of the Centre for Research in Educational and Social Inclusion (CRESI) at the University of South Australia. Her research program focuses on creating socially inclusive educational environments through critical policy analysis and practical solutions to systemic challenges in education.

Professor Sullivan's research centers on four interrelated areas: early career teachers' work and retention, school leadership and policy implementation, student behavior and discipline practices, and research translation into educational practice. Her approach employs critical policy studies to examine how educational policies are developed and enacted across different levels, with particular attention to how these processes include or exclude vulnerable populations. She has conducted significant research on teacher retention, school leadership approaches, and alternative disciplinary practices that avoid exclusionary measures.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on educational equity, teacher workforce sustainability, and inclusive disciplinary practices. Her work demonstrates a strong commitment to translating academic research into practical policy applications, with particular attention to vulnerable student populations and systemic barriers to inclusion. Her research consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical educational challenges facing Australian schools.

Professor Sullivan has secured substantial research funding totaling $1.9 million, serving as Chief Investigator on multiple Australian Research Council projects including four ARC Linkage grants and one ARC Discovery project. Her collaborative research approach involves working with partner organizations to ensure findings directly inform education policy and practice internationally. She is recognized as an Australian leader in educational research communication, frequently appearing in media outlets to discuss issues related to student behavior, school discipline, and teacher retention.

With over ten years of classroom teaching experience across Primary, Middle, and Secondary levels in South Australia, New South Wales, and England, Professor Sullivan brings practical insights to her research. As Director of CRESI, she leads a research center dedicated to creating more inclusive educational environments and has become a prominent voice influencing how education research is communicated to broader audiences.