Lucas is Professor of Education Policy and Practice, Youth Studies and currently director of the Monash Centre for Youth Policy & Education Practice (CYPEP), which has created influential research, such as The Australian Youth Barometer, and other investigations into young people's food insecurity, exclusion, careers education, personal finances, education and working life.

Lucas has served as Associate Dean (Berwick), Associate Dean (Academic Staff), Deputy Dean and Interim Dean of the Faculty of Education. He has worked in corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. He was a manager within the International Baccalaureate in the UK, held four research fellowships and was Director of Research and Evaluation at the Foundation for Young Australians. 

He is exploring responses to the questions: what does the world beyond school look like for young people and what types of education and training do they need to navigate it? His research focuses on:

1. The political, economic, cultural, social and technological dimensions of young people's participation - in particular their transitions to post-school life and the implications of these for educators, other service providers and policy makers. Current areas include youth transitions to employment and young people's experiences of citizenship.
2. How evidence can be used more effectively to support those working to improve the life-outcomes of children and young people.
3. Teacher professional learning and development in relation to the areas above.

Lucas has worked extensively in collaboration with universities, NGOs, governments and the private sector throughout his career. His work has included joint research, education and evaluation projects with industry, philanthropy and government, engaging with youth entrepreneurs and change-makers, and educators seeking to make a difference.

He has been chief investigator on projects for the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework, South Australian Government, Western Australian Government, Federal Department of Education and National Curriculum Board (ACARA).

Lucas has been invited to advise local and commonwealth governments and briefed state and federal ministers and senior policy advisers.

He has a lifelong passion for education because it is a key driver of social and economic change. Currently, Lucas is seeking to influence policy and practice by building connections and surprising alliances needed for evidence-based solutions to wicked problems.

Lucas was a chief investigator on The Q Project (Quality Use of Evidence Driving Quality Education) funded by The Paul Ramsay Foundation. 

He is currently a chief investigator on: Invisible labour: Principals emotional labour in volatile times, funded by the Australian Research Council.

Follow me on X: @ProfLucasWalsh

Follow CYPEP on X: @MonashCYPEP

Follow the QLab on X: @MonashQLab

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-walsh-936179a/?originalSubdomain=au

CYPEP website: https://www.monash.edu/education/cypep

Invisible Labour website: https://www.monash.edu/education/research/projects/school-principals-emotional-labour-in-volatile-times