Seamus Fagan

Seamus Fagan has been the Director of the English Language and Foundation Studies Centre since 2001. In this role, Seamus is responsible for overseeing and managing a large portfolio of ELICOS and enabling education programs. The Centre offers the largest enabling programs in Australia and a range of ELICOS options for International students.

Seamus played a key role in the establishment of a national enabling educator’s conference as well as a peak body for enabling educators; the National Association of Enabling Educators of Australia (NAEEA) and currently serves on its executive. For 17 years he served on the Board of English Australia, the peak body for EFL teaching in Australia, the last 6 years as its chair. In 2016, Seamus was awarded a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from English Australia, becoming only the third person to ever receive this award. He has served for 7 years on the Board of the National ELT Accreditation Scheme (NEAS), and 4 years on the Board of the International Education Educators of Australia. In Melbourne in 2012 Seamus received the ‘Distinguished Contribution to the Field of International Education’ award at the Australian International Education Conference. Along with Professor Jim Albright he established and maintains the Potential Enabling Program Participant Research (PEPPR) register, which is a register of over 1200 former enabling students who have indicated a commitment to take part in research into widening participation. Seamus has also served as an OLT Assessor for National Fellows and OLT major projects. Seamus served on an AESOC working group that developed the standards for international foundation programs. Over the years Seamus has been involved in program and unit reviews throughout Australia, as well as New Zealand and Ireland. He is also on a list of ELT experts maintained by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). Seamus serves on the Language Education in Asia (LEIA) Journal Advisory Board.