Patron - Prof. Frank Crowther

Emeritus Professor Frank Crowther, AM

CertT (Kedron Park TC), M Ed (Alberta), PhD (Wisconsin-Madison), FACEA, MACE

Emeritus Professor Frank Crowther is recognised as a leading international scholar and author on the subject of leadership. He has authored eight published books and one of his most recent books, Developing Teacher Leaders, is an international best seller.

He is widely regarded as a leading international advocate for the teaching profession and his optimism for the future of the teaching profession is the key feature of his advocacy.

Frank is an internationally respected researcher in educational management and leadership and is the principal architect of the IDEAS project (Innovative Designs for Enhancing the Achievements of Schools), a school revitalisation approach that emphasises the dual concepts of teacher leadership and schoolwide teaching as the central factors in school improvement. His research and resulting programs has been recognised for their significant outcomes achieved particularly in indigenous ad low socio-economic areas in Australia and countries around the world.

His doctoral dissertation at the University of Wisconsin in 1984 received the International Exemplary Dissertation Award. Frank has contributed to education through extensive careers in both Canada and Australia. He spent eighteen years in Alberta, Canada as a teacher, principal, inspector and Regional Director for Edmonton and Northern Alberta. On his return from Alberta to Australia in 1986 Frank received the Award of Excellence of the Alberta Teachers Association for services to the educator profession in Alberta and Canada.

In 1997 the Australian Council for Educational Administration awarded him its Gold Medal for “outstanding leadership in Canada, Australia and the Asian region over a period of three decades in furthering the integrity of the profession of educational leadership”. He is also Fellow of both the Australian Council for Educational Leaders and Australian College of Education.

In 2001 Frank was awarded a Personal Chair in Education in recognition of his contribution to education at the University of Southern Queensland, and nationally and internationally. In October, 2004, he was recognised by The Bulletin Magazine as one of 100 Smart 1 Australians, 2004. In the 2006 Queen’s Birthdays Honours List, Frank was made a member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for his services to education.

In 2006 Frank was also made a Life Member of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders. Prior to his retirement from fulltime work in 2006, Frank was the Pro Vice Chancellor (regional engagement and social justice), as well as Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Southern Queensland.

In his retirement he continues to conduct research and consultancy work, particularly with the internationally-renowned IDEAS School Revitalisation Project, across Australia as in countries around the world.

Frank is married, with three adult children and two grandchildren. His hobbies include regular fishing trips to the Swaines Reef and trekking. At the age of 63, he successfully trekked to the Everest Base Camp.