Michael is Professor and Academic Director of Education Innovation.

Michael’s core research focuses on the implications of using digital technologies in teaching and learning. With a strong focus on higher education research in educational technology, his research profile is unique in that it also spans early childhood, schools, and professional learning contexts. This broad perspective has allowed him to broker theories and perspectives relating to digital technologies across what many academics see as impermeable boundaries.

Michael has a continuing interest in all technology enabled learning contexts. However, his current research projects are generally aligned with the three broad fields: assessment and feedback, risk (wellbeing and creativity), and effective teaching and learning with online technologies. In particular, his research in assessment feedback over the last 5 years has had a large impact on research and practice nationally and internationally.

Michael has keynoted international, state and regional conferences and has provided expert advice to government and other education organisations regarding the implications of digital technologies for learning, teaching and the curriculum both inside and outside of the classroom. Michael is experienced in conducting digital and online course evaluations and is an Expert Advisor for the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Authority (TEQSA).

Michael spent five years as the Director of Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Education in which he led the creation and redesign of courses as well as student focused initiatives that have improved the quality of teaching, student satisfaction and a strong increase in student numbers.

He is a founding member and past leader of the Digital Education Research Groupwhich has been providing critical studies in the field for over two decades. In this role he brought together and supported 20 early career and senior researchers to connect, collaborate and disseminate their work – attracting over $2.9 million in the last 5 years. He contributes to university-wide initiatives such as the Digital Education and Delivery Working Group and Learning Analytics Working Group.

Beyond the university, Michael is the senior Lead Editor for the international journal Australasian Journal of Educational Technology (AJET). The journal is open access and ranked Q1 (Scopus and Scimago). He also co-leads the UNESCO EduSummIT working group on creativity and technology.

Michael also draws on a decade as a secondary school teacher and leader in Australia and the United Kingdom. He served for 10 years (2007-17) on the Committee of Management for Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria (DLTV). He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses on educational technologies. He has received teaching awards, including a national Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council.