Teresa Iacono, Ph.D., is Professor of Rural and Regional Allied Health in the La Trobe Rural Health School. With a background in speech pathology, she has research, tertiary teaching and clinical expertise in the area of severe developmental disability and complex communication needs.

Oriane Landry, Ph.D., is Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Psychology and Public Health. Oriane’s research is focused on the development of children with autism and developmental disabilities.

Nerida Hyett, Ph.D., is a Lecturer in Occupational Therapy in the La Trobe Rural Health School. Nerida’s research is focused on consumer and community participation, and she has expertise in applying participatory research methods that transform community health and wellbeing.

Michael Arthur-Kelly, Ph.D., is a Professor in the School of Education, University of Newcastle. His research has focused on the needs of individuals with multiple and severe disability. Communication intervention and behaviour support are two main strands of this research, informed by behaviour state assessment.

Jo Spong, Ph.D., is a Lecturer in Public Health, La Trobe Rural Health School. Her research interests include examining health systems and health services that converge on the needs of people living with cognitive or physical disability and mental illness.

Carol McKinstry, Ph.D., is Associate Professor in occupational therapy in the La Trobe Rural Health School. Her research and teaching expertise relate to rural health, particularly workforce and graduate preparation. She is currently the vice president of Occupational Therapy Australia.

Kerryn Bagley, Ph.D., is a Lecturer in Social Work at La Trobe University Australia. Her research is focused on social work and human service sector responses to FASD, disability and mental health, and consumer participation in research.

Ana Garcia-Melgar, M.Ed., is a PhD candidate in the School of Education at La Trobe University. Her research is focused on peer learning strategies to promote student learning and engagement.