Dr Michael Dyson is a Senior Research Fellow at Federation University Australia. He was previously Head of the School of Education and has held a range of leadership positions at both Monash University and Federation University. Michael has been involved in the research partnership with the SSL since it first began as a single campus school called ‘The Alpine School’ in 2001. Michael has led a number of research teams over the past 16 years involving Assoc Professor Len Cairns, Dr Robyn Zink and Assoc Professor Margaret Plunkett, with findings presented in high impact journals, multiple national and international peer-reviewed conference presentations and reports to the Department of Education and the School Council. The impact of the research has resulted in the on-going funding of the school by the State of Victoria, the building of additional campuses, continued funding for the Victoria Young Leaders China projectand international presentations in China, North America and Australia. Associate Professor Margaret Plunkett is Associate Dean (Learning & Teaching) in the Faculty of Education & Arts at Federation University, Australia. Her research interests span a variety of areas, including gifted education, teacher education and alternate educational settings. Her interest in teaching excellence has been recognised at the university level and also nationally through winning the 2012 Pearson/ATEA Teacher Educator of the Year Award and a national OLT Citation in 2014. Her research partnership with the School for Student Leadership began in 2006 and she has been involved in numerous publications and presentations relating to this research over the past decade.
