Amanda Webster

Associate Professor Amanda Webster is the Academic Program Director for the postgraduate programs in Autism and Inclusive Education at the University of Wollongong. Prior to her academic career, Dr. Webster worked for over 25 years with students and their families as a teacher, school leader, program director and certified behaviour analyst. She is a member of the Australian Autism CRC and has a research focus on leadership in school communities and developing practices that facilitate self-determination of neurodivergent students. She is particularly committed to incorporating the perspectives and input of neurodivergent students and their families in education programs and planning processes, drawing on her research with autistic adults about the factors that enable them to self-advocate and be successful as they move into adulthood.​ Dr. Webster has recently completed several large-scale projects examining the ways that school leaders and stakeholders undertake decision-making processes to implement adjustments and supports for students with a range of needs and the leadership actions that that promote inclusive school programs and practices for students on the autism spectrum.

Dr. Webster has worked closely with the departments of education in Queensland, NSW and Tasmania to lead research on the role of school leaders, staff and parents in establishing effective inclusive school cultures and practices that enable students with a range of needs to achieve high quality outcomes. Her research on leadership and inclusive practice for neurodivergent students has been published in a number of peer reviewed publications including three research-based books published by Springer and Routledge.