Speakers

George Sugai

George Sugai is Professor and Carole J. Neag Endowed Chair in the Neag School of Education, Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut. Over the past 45 years his research and practice interests include school-wide positive behavior support, behavioral disorders, applied behavior analysis, and classroom and behavior management, and school discipline. He is senior advisor to the OSEP National Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and research scientist for the UConn Center on Behavioral Education and Research.

Nathan Wallis

Host of the documentary “All in the Mind”, and co-host of the TV Series “The Secret life of Girls”, Nathan Wallis - Aotearoa’s renowned neuroscience educator, has been captivating audiences over 250 times per year to sell out events in New Zealand, Australia, & China. Nathan is a father of three and foster father to many more. His professional background includes early childhood teacher, child therapist, social service manager, university lecturer and neuroscience trainer.

With a legendary reputation as a lively and engaging speaker, Nathan uses humour and plain language to condense twenty-five years of neuroscience research into his unique ‘tell you how it is’ style. You’ll be absolutely captivated and walk away jam-packed with more than a few “ah-ha” moments.

Sonja Macfarlane

C lick here for Sonja's presentation

Sonja Macfarlane (Ngāi Tahu; Ngāti Waewae) is an Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow) at the University of Canterbury. Her research focuses on culturally responsive evidence-based approaches in education, psychology, and counselling. Her research has been widely published in leading research journals, both nationally and internationally. In 2017, Sonja received New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER) Tohu Pae Tawhiti Award for her contributions to Māori research over many years. In 2017, she was the member of a team that received the UC College of Education, Health and Human Development Research Team Award. In 2015, she was a co-recipient of the CLNZ Education Award “Best Resource in Higher Education”, and in 2014 received a UC Research Excellence Award. Sonja is a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society, as is a research and advisory member on several ministerial-funded projects.