Linda J. Graham

Linda J. Graham serves as Professor and Director of The Centre for Inclusive Education (C4IE) at Queensland University of Technology within the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice. Her leadership spans multiple externally funded research initiatives focused on inclusive educational practices and policy reform.

Her educational background includes a PhD in Education from QUT (2007), Master of Education from Macquarie University, and Bachelor of Arts in English Literature & Modern History from Macquarie University.

Graham's research centers on education policy's role in disruptive student behavior development and responses to challenging students. She investigates ADHD diagnosis patterns, school suspension practices, and systemic barriers to inclusion. Her work consistently emphasizes student voice as fundamental to educational equity, examining how inclusive assessment design and wellbeing frameworks can transform learning environments. Current projects explore Indigenous student representation in disciplinary actions and accessible assessment methodologies.

Her research portfolio reveals strong thematic continuity across publications: critical analysis of exclusionary practices, longitudinal studies on student trajectories, and evidence-based inclusive interventions. Recent work increasingly integrates Indigenous perspectives and systemic reform frameworks.

• Spencer Foundation Mentorship Excellence Award (2021)
• Royal Commission Expert Witness on Disability (2020)
• Chair of South Australian Suspension/Exclusion Inquiry (2020)
• ASSA Paul Bourke Award (2011)
• AARE Early Career Researcher Award (2011)
• Macquarie University Early Career Researcher of the Year (2011)

Graham actively supervises doctoral candidates across inclusive education topics while leading major ARC-funded projects including the $1.2M Accessible Assessment initiative. Her research collaborations span Australia, Canada, Finland, and the UK, generating significant policy impact through government inquiries and international networks. She directs C4IE's longitudinal studies tracking student outcomes from prep through grade 5, with findings informing Queensland's education reforms.

The Centre for Inclusive Education operates as her primary research hub, coordinating projects across three thematic areas: Engagement and Learning, Inclusion and Exclusion, and Health and Wellbeing. Graham's leadership extends to the AARE Inclusive Education Special Interest Group and Queensland government advisory roles.