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.
- My Research
- Career
- Publications
- Grants and Funding
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Professional Activities
- Contact
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 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
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Journals
Year Citation 2020 Cui, B., White, M. A., & McCallum, F. (2020). Chinese Rural Teachers’ Wellbeing: Confucian and Western Perspectives. Review of Education, Pedagogy, and Cultural Studies. 2020 White, M. A. (2020). A Decade of Positive Education Transforming Teaching. Journal of Transformative Education. 2020 Zebian, T., & White, M. A. (2020). Students’ Perceptions of School Belonging: A Qualitative Case Study. The Australian Journal of Teacher Education. 2020 Cui, B., White, M. A., & McCallum, F. (2020). Latent profile analysis of teachers’ wellbeing in rural China. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice. 2018 White, M., & Kern, M. (2018). Positive education: learning and teaching for wellbeing and academic mastery. International Journal of Wellbeing, 8(1), 1-17.
2017 White, M., & Kern, M. (2017). Wellbeing: if you treasure it you will measure it. Independence, 42(2), 50-54. 2017 White, M. (2017). Welfare to wellbeing: Australian education's greatest challenge. Australian Educational Leader, 39(1), 18-22. 2016 White, M. (2016). Why won't it Stick? Positive Psychology and Positive Education.. Psychology of well-being, 6(1), 1-16.
Europe PMC12015 Kern, M., Waters, L., Adler, A., & White, M. (2015). A multidimensional approach to measuring well-being in students: application of the PERMA framework. Journal of Positive Psychology, 10(3), 262-271.
Scopus99 WoS85 Europe PMC182015 White, M., & Waters, L. (2015). A case study of ‘The Good School:’ Examples of the use of Peterson’s strengths-based approach with students. Journal of Positive Psychology, 10(1), 69-76.
Scopus28 WoS25 Europe PMC32015 Waters, L., & White, M. (2015). Case study of a school wellbeing initiative: Using appreciative inquiry to support positive change. International Journal of Wellbeing, 5(1), 19-32.
2014 Kern, M. L., Waters, L., Adler, A., & White, M. (2014). Assessing employee wellbeing in schools using a multifaceted approach: associations with physical health, life satisfaction, and professional thriving. Psychology, 05(06), 500-513.
2012 Waters, L., White, M., & Murray, S. (2012). Toward the creation of a positive institution: St. Peter's College. AI Practitioner: International Journal of Appreciative Inquiry, 14(2), 60-65. 2009 White, M. (2009). Why teach Positive Education in schools?. Curriculum & Leadership Journal, 7(7). 2004 White, M. (2004). An Australian co-educational boarding school: A sociological study of Anglo-Australian and overseas students' attitudes from their own memoirs. International Education Journal, 5(1), 65-78.
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Books
Year Citation 2017 Ambler, G., Anstey, M., McCall, T., & White, M. (Eds.) (2017). Flourishing in Faith Theology Encountering Positive Psychology (1st ed.). United States of America: Wipf & Stock. 2017 White, M., Slemp, G., & Murray, A. (Eds.) (2017). Future directions in well-being: Education, organizations and policy. Springer.
Scopus22017 White, M., Slemp, G., & Murray, A. (Eds.) (2017). Future directions in well-being: Education, organizations and policy. Springer.
Scopus22017 Ambler, G., Anstey, M., McCall, T., & White, M. (Eds.) (2017). Flourishing in Faith Theology Encountering Positive Psychology (1st ed.). United States of America: Wipf & Stock. 2015 White, M., & Simon Murray, A. (Eds.) (2015). Evidence-based approaches in positive education: Implementing a strategic framework for well-being in schools. The Netherlands: Springer.
Scopus132015 White, M., & Simon Murray, A. (Eds.) (2015). Evidence-based approaches in positive education: Implementing a strategic framework for well-being in schools. The Netherlands: Springer.
Scopus13— -
Book Chapters
Year Citation 2020 White, M., & McCallum, F. (2020). Responding to Teacher Quality through an Evidence-based Wellbeing Framework for Initial Teacher Education. In J. Fox, C. Alexander, & T. Apsland (Eds.), Teacher Education in Globalised Times: Local Responses in Action (pp. 115-137). Singapore: Springer. 2019 White, M. (2019). Positive Communication and Education: Applying Character Strengths in Schools. In J. A. Muñiz Velázquez, & C. Pulido (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Positive Communication (Vol. 1, 1st ed., pp. 390-398). Great Britain: Routledge. 2017 White, M. (2017). An introduction positive psychology, positive education and wellbeing. In M. Anstey, G. Ambler, T. McCall, & M. White (Eds.), Flourishing in Faith: Theology and Positive Psychology (1st ed., pp. 34-54). United States of America: Cascade Books. 2017 White, M. (2017). Mary - Theotókos: Fulfilment of God’s Grace and embodiment of Virtues: A Strengths-Based Reading. In M. Anstey, G. Ambler, T. McCall, & M. White (Eds.), Flourishing in Faith Theology Encountering Positive Psychology (1st ed., pp. 81-98). Eugene, Oregon; USA: Wipf and Stock Publishers. 2017 White, M. (2017). Mary - Theotókos: Fulfilment of God’s Grace and embodiment of Virtues: A Strengths-Based Reading. In M. Anstey, G. Ambler, T. McCall, & M. White (Eds.), Flourishing in Faith Theology Encountering Positive Psychology (1st ed., pp. 81-98). Eugene, Oregon; USA: Wipf and Stock Publishers. 2017 White, M. (2017). Impact of activity: future directions of positive education. In M. White, G. Slemp, & A. Murray (Eds.), Future Directions in Well-Being : Education, Organizations and Policy (1 ed., pp. 27-33). Cham, Switzerland: Springer.
Scopus12017 White, M., & Buchanan, A. (2017). Why we need positive education 2.0. In M. White, G. Slemp, & A. Murray (Eds.), Future Directions in Well-Being : Education, Organizations and Policy (1 ed., pp. 219-223). Cham, Switzerland: Springer.
Scopus22017 White, M., & Buchanan, A. (2017). Why we need positive education 2.0. In M. White, G. Slemp, & A. Murray (Eds.), Future Directions in Well-Being : Education, Organizations and Policy (1 ed., pp. 219-223). Cham, Switzerland: Springer.
Scopus22015 Waters, L., White, M., Wang, L., & Simon Murray, A. (2015). Leading whole-school change. In M. White, & A. Murray (Eds.), Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education: Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-Being in Schools (pp. 43-63). The Netherlands: Springer.
2015 McCall, T., Waters, L., & White, M. (2015). A comparison between theological christian approaches to wisdom and Peterson and Seligman’s classification of character strengths and virtues. In M. White, & A. Murray (Eds.), Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education: Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-Being in Schools (pp. 27-41). Netherlands: Springer.
2015 Waters, L., White, M., Wang, L., & Simon Murray, A. (2015). Leading whole-school change. In M. White, & A. Murray (Eds.), Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education: Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-Being in Schools (pp. 43-63). The Netherlands: Springer.
2015 McCall, T., Waters, L., & White, M. (2015). A comparison between theological christian approaches to wisdom and Peterson and Seligman’s classification of character strengths and virtues. In M. White, & A. Murray (Eds.), Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education: Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-Being in Schools (pp. 27-41). Netherlands: Springer.
2015 Alford, Z., & White, M. (2015). Positive school psychology. In M. White, & S. Murray (Eds.), Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education: Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-Being in Schools (Vol. 1, 1st ed., pp. 93-109). Netherlands: Springer.
Scopus12015 White, M., & Simon Murray, A. (2015). Well-being as freedom: Future directions in well-being. In M. White, & S. Murray (Eds.), Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education: Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-Being in Schools (1st ed., pp. 167-175). Netherlands: Springer.
2015 White, M., & Simon Murray, A. (2015). Building a positive institution. In M. White, & S. Murray (Eds.), Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education: Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-Being in Schools (Vol. 1, 1st ed., pp. 1-26). Netherlands: Springer.
Scopus12015 White, M., Vrodos, J., & McNeil, T. (2015). Student leadership, well-being and service: Integrating appreciative inquiry, strengths and leadership. In M. White, & S. Murray (Eds.), Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education: Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-Being in Schools (Vol. 1, 1st ed., pp. 151-165). Netherlands: Springer.
Scopus22015 White, M., & Waters, L. (2015). Strengths-based approaches in the classroom and staffroom. In M. White, & S. Murray (Eds.), Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education: Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-Being in Schools (Vol. 1, 1st ed., pp. 111-133). Netherlands: Springer.
2015 Kern, M., Adler, A., Waters, L., & White, M. (2015). Measuring whole-school well-being in students and staff. In M. White, & S. Murray (Eds.), Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education: Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-Being in Schools (Vol. 1, 1st ed., pp. 65-91). Netherlands: Springer.
Scopus42015 White, M., & Simon Murray, A. (2015). Well-being as freedom: Future directions in well-being. In M. White, & S. Murray (Eds.), Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education: Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-Being in Schools (1st ed., pp. 167-175). Netherlands: Springer.
2015 White, M., & Waters, L. (2015). Strengths-based approaches in the classroom and staffroom. In M. White, & S. Murray (Eds.), Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education: Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-Being in Schools (Vol. 1, 1st ed., pp. 111-133). Netherlands: Springer.
2015 White, M., Vrodos, J., & McNeil, T. (2015). Student leadership, well-being and service: Integrating appreciative inquiry, strengths and leadership. In M. White, & S. Murray (Eds.), Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education: Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-Being in Schools (Vol. 1, 1st ed., pp. 151-165). Netherlands: Springer.
Scopus22015 Alford, Z., & White, M. (2015). Positive school psychology. In M. White, & S. Murray (Eds.), Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education: Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-Being in Schools (Vol. 1, 1st ed., pp. 93-109). Netherlands: Springer.
Scopus12015 White, M., & Simon Murray, A. (2015). Building a positive institution. In M. White, & S. Murray (Eds.), Evidence-Based Approaches in Positive Education: Implementing a Strategic Framework for Well-Being in Schools (Vol. 1, 1st ed., pp. 1-26). Netherlands: Springer.
Scopus12014 White, M. (2014). An Evidence-Based Whole-School Strategy to Positive Education. In H. Street, & N. Porter (Eds.), Better Than Ok: Helping Young People to Flourish at School and Beyond (pp. 194-198). Australia: Fremantle Press. 2013 White, M. (2013). Education and culture: An Australian coeducational boarding school as
a crucible for a culturally diverse life as seen through the eyes of the
students themselves. A humanistic sociological study. In S. Alagumalai,, S. Burley, & J. Keeves (Eds.), Excellence in Scholarship: Transcending Transdisciplinarity in Teacher Education (pp. 235-265). Netherlands: Sense Publishers.
Scopus22013 White, M. (2013). Positive Education at Geelong Grammar School. In S. David, I. Boniwell, & A. Conley Ayers (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Happiness (pp. 657-670). United Kingdom: Oxford Press. — — — — -
Report for External Bodies
Year Citation 2017 Bott, D., Escamilia, H., Barry Kaufman, S., Kern, P., Krekel, C., Schlicht-Schmälzle, R., . . . White, M. (2017). The State of Positive Education. Dubai. 2017 Bott, D., Escamilia, H., Barry Kaufman, S., Kern, P., Krekel, C., Schlicht-Schmälzle, R., . . . White, M. (2017). The State of Positive Education. Dubai.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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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 2019 Co-Supervisor Experiences of following within Senior Leadership Teams in Independent Schools Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Carl Salt 2019 Principal Supervisor Teacher Professional Development Efficacy and Improvement Processes Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Mr Glyn Roberts 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 2019 Co-Supervisor Character Education in Boarding Schools Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Darren Thomas Roylett 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 2017 Co-Supervisor Teacher's wellbeing in rural Jilin province China: an appreciative study Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Bo Cui
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Board Memberships
Date Role Board name Institution name Country 2019 - ongoing Board Member Council of Govenors St Peter's Woodlands Grammar School Inc. Australia -
Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 2018 - ongoing Member American Educational Research Association United States 2018 - ongoing Member Australian Association for Research in Education Australia 2018 - ongoing Member Australian Council for Educational Leaders Australia 2014 - ongoing Member Australian Institute of Company Directors Australia 2014 - ongoing Member Positive Education Schools Association Australia -
Editorial Boards
Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country 2017 - ongoing Editor-In-chief International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology — — -
Offices Held
Date Office Name Institution Country 2019 - 2021 President Education Division (Ex officio Member of the Council of Advisors) International Positive Psychology Association Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles
