Dr Linda-Dianne (Linda) Willis is currently Lead Chief Investigator and Senior Research Fellow on two major research projects which investigate parent engagement. The first, Engaging Parents in Inquiry Curriculum (EPIC) (2021-2023), is funded by Independent Schools Queensland in partnership with Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network and Griffith University. The second, Enhancing Student Agency in the Early Years (EASEY): Building towards Global Competence through Effective Literacy Learning and Teaching Practices (2020-2021), is funded by the Queensland Department of Education in partnership with Griffith University. Linda is currently also Education Lead on Griffith University’s Climate Action Beacon (CAB). Her previous roles include Program Director, Bachelor of Education and Senior Lecturer at Griffith University (2020-2022) and Program Director, Master of Teaching (Primary) and Lecturer at The University of Queensland (2010-2019). 

Before entering the higher education sector, Linda enjoyed a successful career in state and independent schools in a range of roles including Middle School Leader, STEM District Liaison Teacher, and Senior Classroom Teacher. She completed her PhD research on parent-teacher engagement in 2013. Linda brings strengths in curriculum and pedagogy and adopts dialogic approaches to designing and implementing research projects as she works alongside participants to generate authentic parent-school-community partnerships. Her work focuses on teacher pedagogies and practices for engaging parents in their child’s learning and wellbeing. Linda has published widely and is known nationally and internationally in the area of parent engagement. She is Lead Author on the international volume, Principal Leadership for Parent Engagement in Disadvantaged Schools: What Qualities and Strategies Distinguish Effective Principals? Linda’s external service roles include National Publications Director of the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association (ALEA) (2019-2022), ALEA Executive Board and National Council member (2019-2022), and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at The University of Queensland (2020-2022).