Mathew White

Associate Professor Mathew White

Associate Professor

School of Education

Faculty of Arts

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

My research focuses on character education, international education, leading change, positive education, strategic planning in education and wellbeing education. In particular, I am interested in how leaders establish school cultures to enable positive learning and wellbeing environments.

My most recent work explores applications of positive psychology in education. I have published on issues related to leadership, governance and measurement of wellbeing. I have also published on the implementation of character strengths and virtues in middle and secondary teaching. I have co-edited four ground-breaking books Critical Perspectives on Teaching, Learning and Leadership: Enhancing Educational Outcomes (2020, Springer), Future Directions in Wellbeing: Education, Organizations, and Policy (Springer, 2017), Theology Encountering Positive Psychology (Wipf & Stock, 2017) and Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-being in Schools (Springer, 2015).

I welcome inquiries from PhD and Masters candidates interested in: Applications of positive psychology in education, Education policy, International education, Educational governance, leadership and management, Leading positive change in education, Positive education, and Wellbeing education.

I am Chair of the Enhancing Educational Outcomes Research Group, Director of the Master of Education, and a member of the leadership team of the School of Education. My research focuses broadly on character education, international education, leadership, and wellbeing education. In particular, I am interested in how leaders establish school cultures to enable positive learning and wellbeing environments. 

My current projects include:

  • Measurement of Employee and Student Wellbeing at the Moreton Bay Colleges, Queensland.

This Research Project is in response to a request from the Executive Principal and the leadership team at The Moreton Bay Colleges in Queensland. A mixed methods study co-designed with the College executive team will prioritise employee and student wellbeing for sustained health and wellbeing at two single-sex, amalgamated schools, Moreton Bay College (a school for girls) and Moreton Bay Boys’ College (a school for boys). The project will measure employee wellbeing (c. 250) and student wellbeing on both sites (Year 6-12 c. 900).

  • Measurement of Employee and Student Wellbeing at Upper Canada College, Toronto

This Research Project is framed in response to a request from the Principal and Dean of Student Life and Wellbeing at Upper Canada College, an all-boys school in Toronto, to undertake a study that prioritises and values employee and student wellbeing for sustained health and wellbeing at a College. A mixed methods approach developed co-designed with College executive team. The project will measure employee wellbeing (c. 250) and student wellbeing (Year 6-12 c. 800).

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  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2018 Associate Professor University of Adelaide, Adelaide
    2016 Associate Professor and Principal Fellow The University of Melbourne
    2013 - 2016 Senior Fellow The University of Melbourne
    2011 - 2017 Adjunct Lecturer University of Adelaide, Adelaide
    2011 - 2017 Director of Wellbeing & Positive Education St Peter's College - Adelaide
    2009 - 2010 Director, Leadership & Training Teach for Australia
    2009 - 2009 Head of Positive Education Geelong Grammar School
    2006 - 2013 Fellow The University of Melbourne
    2005 - 2008 International Baccalaureate Diploma Coordinator Geelong Grammar School
    1998 - 2009 Senior School VCE and IB English, French, Theatre Arts, Theory of Knowledge Teacher Geelong Grammar School

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2020 Teaching Award 2020 Faculty of Arts Prize for Excellence in Teaching The University of Adelaide Australia —
    2020 Award Australian Council for Educational Leaders (South Australia Branch) Distinguished Contribution to Research in Educational Leadership Award Australian Council for Educational Leaders (South Australia Branch) Australia —
    2017 Award National ACEL Leadership Award for 2017 Australian Council for Educational Leaders Australia —
    2017 Achievement Educational Leadership Medal Award Australian Council for Educational Leaders South Australian Branch (ACEL SA) Australia —
    2016 Fellowship Fellow Australian College of Educators Australian College of Educators Australia —
    2002 Fellowship Fellow Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce United Kingdom https://www.thersa.org/fellowship

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2004 - 2004 The University of New England Australia Graduate Certificate in Education Management (Boarding)
    2000 - 2004 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia PhD
    1996 - 1997 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia Master of Educational Studies
    1995 - 1995 The University of Adelaide Australia Graduate Diploma in Education
    1991 - 1994 Flinders University of South Australia Australia Bachelor of Arts

  • Research Interests
    Citizenship Education Education Policy Education systems Educational Administration, Management and Leadership
Date Project Number Investigators Funding Body Amount
2019 UA193825 Associate Professor Mathew White & Professor Faye McCallum The Moreton Bay Colleges, Queensland $30,000
2018 - 2019 UA183363 Associate Professor Mathew White & Professor Faye McCallum Upper Canada College, Toronto $30,000
2018 UA183018 Associate Professor Mathew White Catholic Education South Australia $10,000

 

Date Course Course Level / Code
2021 Introduction to Wellbeing in Education Masters (AFQ Level 9), EDUC 7064
2021 Contemporary Issues in Wellbeing Education Masters (AFQ Level 9), EDUC 7071
2021 Leading Positive Change Masters (AFQ Level 9), EDUC 7068
2021 Mentoring for Teachers Masters (AFQ Level 9), EDUC 7060
2020 Education Major Project Masters (AFQ Level 9), EDUC 7031
2020 Contemporary Issues in Wellbeing Education Masters (AFQ Level 9), EDUC 7071
2020 Leading Positive Change Masters (AFQ Level 9), EDUC 7068
2020 Introduction to Wellbeing in Education Masters (AFQ Level 9), EDUC 7064
2019 Leading Positive Change Masters (AFQ Level 9), EDUC 7068

2019

Contemporary Issues in Wellbeing Education

Masters (AFQ Level 9), EDUC 7071
2019 Introduction to Wellbeing in Education Masters (AFQ Level 9), EDUC 7064
2019 Educational Leadership in Diverse Contexts Masters (AFQ Level 9), EDUC 7013
2018 Reflective Practice Bachelors (AFQ Level 7) , EDUC 3001
2018 Educational Leadership in Diverse Contexts Masters (AFQ Level 9), EDUC 7013
2018 Educational Policy Studies Masters (AFQ Level 9), EDUC 7550
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  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2020 Co-Supervisor The Nature of School Counselling Mental Health Services in Australia: A national school counselling model with professional standards and competencies to enhance student wellbeing and academic outcomes. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mrs Katrina Joy Cummins
    2020 Principal Supervisor How teacher empowerment in light of motivation theories might influence teacher personal and professional wellbeing from a global perspective Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Liwen Tan
    2020 Principal Supervisor The aims of this research project will be to identify how strengths-based teacher attitudes and approaches towards reading, literature and storytelling make a visible impact on building positive wellbeing of their students. Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Mr Adam John Slater
    2020 Principal Supervisor An Appreciative Cross-Cultural Study of Secondary School Students' Perspectives of Wellbeing Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Tania Zebian
    2019 Co-Supervisor Experiences of following within Senior Leadership Teams in Independent Schools Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Carl Salt
    2019 Co-Supervisor Journeys of Strength: An Appreciative Study of Older Workers in Employment in Singapore Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Mohamed Fadhil Bin Mohamed Ismail
    2018 Co-Supervisor A Study of the Effectiveness of South Australian Independent Schools Character Education Programs and their Impact on Student Wellbeing Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Shaun Malcolm Oakey

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2017 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Teacher Wellbeing in Rural China: An Appreciative Mixed-Methods Study in Jilin Province Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Bo Cui
  • Position: Associate Professor
  • Phone: 83135706
  • Email: mathew.white@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Nexus 10 Tower, floor 8
  • Room: 8 26
  • Org Unit: School of Education
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