Authentic Inclusion in Schools: a DSV Education Conference

Keynote speaker: Nas Campanella

Nas Campanella is the ABC’s National Disability Affairs Reporter.

Nas Campanella is the ABC’s National Disability Affairs Reporter.

Nas started her career at the ABC as a cadet journalist in Sydney in 2011 before working as a regional reporter in Bega on the New South Wales far south coast. She then spent seven years working as a newsreader, reporter and senior producer for triple j and other ABC platforms. Nas has also undertaken projects with ABC International Development, running initiatives for people living with disability across the Pacific.

Nas lost her sight when she was six months old. Nas also has a sensitivity condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth which means she can’t read Braille.

Nas also works as an MC and public speaker, presenting at schools, conferences and charity fundraisers on topics such as inclusive education, adaptive technology, accessibility and supporting women to climb the corporate ladder. Nas has supported young people with vision impairments to transition into mainstream schooling.

Loren Swancutt

National Convenor of the School Inclusion Network for Educators (SINE), and the Board Chair of Inclusive Educators Australia (IEA).

Loren Swancutt is an experienced teacher, school leader, and education consultant. She has led successful whole-school inclusive reform at a complex and challenging high school and has been seconded to education system level advisory roles supporting principals and school teams to advance inclusive education practices. Loren is highly regarded for her work relating to inclusive teaching and learning, and for her ability to translate theory and research into scalable and sustainable practice.

Loren is the National Convenor of the School Inclusion Network for Educators (SINE), and the Board Chair of Inclusive Educators Australia (IEA). She is a doctoral candidate at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) where she is researching the inclusion of students with complex learning profiles in grade-level academic curriculum.

Associate Professor Kathy Cologan

Associate Director Children’s Voices Centre, Charles Sturt University

Associate Professor Kathy Cologon (she/her) is Associate Director, Children, Families and Communities at the Children’s Voices Centre, Charles Sturt University. A national and international leader in inclusive education and disability studies, Kathy’s research focuses on children’s rights, social justice, and inclusive practices. She has authored over 60 publications and led numerous interdisciplinary research initiatives that translate directly into policy and practice. Kathy has learned so much through working with children, families, teachers, allied professionals, and policy makers. She continues to work toward better opportunities and outcomes for every child.

Nick Drover

Special Education Teacher

Nick is a special education teacher with a strong passion for Augmentative and Alternative Communication and literacy teaching for students with disabilities. He has worked in special schools in Queensland and Victoria as a teacher, curriculum leader, and literacy coach. He has been presenting Key Word Sign for over 10 years and also serves as the treasurer for Key Word Sign Victoria. He currently works as an assistant principal at a special school in South East Melbourne.

Dr Erin Leif

Associate Professor in the School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Monash University

Dr Erin Leif is an Associate Professor in the School of Educational Psychology and Counselling at Monash University. Her work focuses on advancing inclusive and rights-based practices in education and disability services, with expertise in Positive Behaviour Support, Trauma Informed Behaviour Support, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. Erin is passionate about building the capability of educators and practitioners to create learning environments that foster participation, self-determination, and success for all students.