I am a La Trobe University Distinguished Professor (Cognitive Psychology), and Co-Director of the Science of Language and Reading (SOLAR) Lab in the School of Education. 

I am a registered psychologist, having qualified originally in speech-language pathology. My research has been funded by nationally competitive schemes such as the ARC Discovery Program, ARC Linkage Program, and the Criminology Research Council, and spans various developmental processes and risks in childhood and adolescence, in particular, applying evidence in the language-to-literacy transition in the early years of school. I have arrived at this point via extensive research on students in the "tail of the achievement curve" - examining the oral language skills of high-risk young people (youth offenders and those in the state care system) and the role of oral language competence as an academic and mental health protective factor in childhood and adolescence. The net result of these research endeavours has been a focus on reading success as a public health imperative for all students, regardless of postcode, gender, or other demographic markers of risk.  I have also conducted research on linguistic aspects of investigative interviewing with children / adolescents as witnesses, suspects, and/or victims in criminal investigations.

I have taught a wide range of undergraduate health professionals, and also have experience in undergraduate and postgraduate teacher education. I have research and/or professional development links with the education, welfare and justice sectors, and my research has been published in a wide range of international journals. I am frequently called upon to address education, health, welfare, and forensic audiences. I have authored or co-authored over 200 publications, comprising refereed papers, book chapters, monographs and research reports. In 2017, I was a member of the National Year 1 Literacy and Numeracy Panel, convened by the then Federal Minister for Education, the Hon. Simon Birmingham.

In 2020, I established, with my colleague, Professor Tanya Serry, the SOLAR Lab in the School of Education at La Trobe University. The SOLAR Lab is a platform for research, teaching, advocacy and postgraduate supervision on a wide range of topics pertaining to developmental language and the transition to reading, writing and spelling in the school years. Via the SOLAR Lab platform, we are conducting a number of externally funded projects, including via a partnership with the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO).

In 2020, I received the award of Life Membership of Speech Pathology Australia, having been a Fellow since 2012. 

In 2024, I was named by the Australian Financial Review as one of the five most influential figures in Education in Australia. 

In 2025, I was appointed as a La Trobe University Distinguished Professor.