I made my way from a small country town, to teachers’ college, to university – first Otago, then Toronto. Next came academic jobs in New England, Western Australia, North Carolina, Auckland and – not least – Melbourne.

I believe that it is entirely possible to impact the learning lives of students from the hallways of academia. One of the best parts of my job is dealing on a regular basis with thesis students; they are excited and passionate, they delve deeply into their work, and often teach me as much as I teach them. This is why research is so inspiring; there is so much to be curious about. And while I am honoured that people have enough interest in my ideas to steal them, it is even better when they acknowledge the source.

THIS SONG CHANGED MY LIFE

Another One Bites the Dust by Queen was the theme song to writing my thesis, and for each subsequent book. With every page I write, out comes this song!