Shiralee Poed

Associate Professor Shiralee Poed serves as Director of Higher Degree Research within the School of Education at the University of Queensland. With over 30 years of professional experience spanning Australian state, Catholic, and independent primary, secondary, and special schools, she brings extensive practical knowledge to her academic role. Her work focuses on systems change to address inequities in education, particularly for students with disabilities.

• Diploma, Brisbane College of Advanced Education
• Bachelor of Educational Studies, The University of Queensland
• Masters (Coursework) of Education, Queensland University of Technology
• Doctor of Philosophy, Griffith University

Professor Poed's research centers on positive behaviour support, disability discrimination in education, and systems change in educational contexts. Her expertise encompasses evidence-based interventions for inclusive education, proactive behaviour approaches, reduction of student restraint and seclusion, and elimination of disability discrimination. She has published extensively across journals, books, and conference proceedings, with recent work examining the implementation of Positive Behaviour for Learning frameworks in Australian schools, inclusive education ethics, and disability rights.

Her most recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward examining educational equity, particularly through the lens of behaviour support systems, inclusive practices, and policy implementation. Her work frequently addresses the intersection of disability rights, behaviour management, and educational equity, with a growing focus on Indigenous education and systemic barriers.

• 2023 International Positive Behaviour Leadership Award for extensive leadership of Positive Behaviour for Learning in Australia and internationally

Professor Poed supervises multiple PhD candidates focusing on inclusive education, behaviour support systems, and curriculum adaptation. Her current research is supported by funding from the Queensland Department of Education for projects including 'Equity and Excellence: Behaviour review tools for Queensland State Schools' and 'Getting it right from the start: An early years school intervention to equitably improve student oral language and literacy outcomes.'

Her work connects closely with the Parenting and Family Support Centre at the University of Queensland's Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, demonstrating her commitment to bridging research, policy, and practice in educational settings.