Lesley Friend

Lesley Friend is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education (ILSTE), part of the Faculty of Education and Arts at Australian Catholic University. Her work focuses on multimodal literacy, globalization's impact on education, and the intersection of technology with learning environments. She has contributed to projects analyzing sensory integration in primary education and the role of virtual realities in child development. Her research bridges theoretical frameworks with practical pedagogical applications.

Research Interests:

• Multimodal literacy and sensory learning
• Global-local dynamics in education systems
• Digital technologies in education
• Sociomateriality in classroom practices

Her publications span journal articles, book chapters, and project reports, addressing topics such as climate change education, tactile learning in makerspaces, and cultural knowledges in Middle Eastern education. With over 1000 views of her outputs, her work emphasizes innovative approaches to contemporary educational challenges.