Jennifer Stephenson

Dr Jennifer Stephenson is currently an associate professor at Macquarie University, supervising research students and carrying out research, funded by an ARC grant, in special education. She has taught at Western Sydney University, University of Technology (where she co-ordinated the special education program) and at Macquarie. She has acted as Director for the Macquarie University Special Education Centre, and prior to moving to university teaching was Assistant Principal at a school for specific purposes.

Jennifer has been active in the Australian Association of Special Education (AASE) for over 20 years, and has served as president and vice-president of the NSW chapter and vice-president of the national organisation, as well as serving on state and national committees. She has been editor of the AASE journal, the Australasian Journal of Special Education and associate editor of Special Education Perspectives. She has been a member of the organising committee for AASE national conferences and has overseen the selection of conference papers. She is currently a consulting editor for the journal Alternative and Augmentative Communication. She has served on the board of Best Buddies, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes and supports friendships for people with intellectual disability.

Jennifer has provided consultation and professional learning to many schools educating students with severe disability and had been an expert witness in court cases involving teachers and students with disability. She is a member of the Students with Disability Advisory Group for ACARA. She has been a panel member of selection committees awarding the NSW Premier’ Scholarships to generalist special educators, vision and hearing teachers.