Erin Leif

I am a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Monash University. I am currently interested in research evaluating effective tactics for training scientist-practitioners to engage in evidence-based practice in real world settings. One of my primary research interests involves the exploration of strategies for building the capacity of the workforce to better support individuals with disability (particularly children and young people with behaviours of concern). I am particularly interested in knowledge translation research. For me, knowledge translation involves working collaboratively with professionals, educators, parents, and individuals with disability to exchange information about what works, and what we need to do better to solve socially important problems. Knowledge translation also involves the discovery of effective tactics for bridging the research to practice gap. To this end, I am interested in exploring how educators and allied health professionals can use evidence-based teaching and behaviour support strategies that reflect the values, preferences, goals, and aspirations of the individuals they work with. I am also interested in developing qualitative and quantitative methods for assessing the ways in which the provision of evidence-based educational and behaviour support services improves quality of life, well-being, and social inclusion for individuals with autism, intellectual disability, and related conditions.

I am also interested in exploring effective tactics for creating engaging, accessible, and inclusive online learning spaces in higher education, using the principles of applied behaviour analysis and universal design for learning. I am keen to understand how the incorporation of the principles of universal design for learning in online learning environments in higher education may enhance student outcomes and satisfaction. I am also interested in exploring strategies for promoting active student engagement in asynchronous online learning environments.