Rate My Professor Erin Leif

Erin Leif is an Associate Professor in the School of Educational Psychology and Counselling within the Faculty of Education at Monash University. A board-certified behaviour analyst, her research program is dedicated to addressing the systemic exclusion, marginalisation, social isolation, and poorer educational outcomes experienced by people with disabilities or learning differences, particularly those whose behaviours are problematised. She interrogates how educational and disability systems reproduce inequities and advances evidence-based practices and systems-level approaches that promote dignity, participation, and meaningful inclusion. Leif has led numerous externally funded projects adapting frameworks such as Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to the Australian context, emphasising equity, human rights, and person-centred strategies. Her work draws on contextual behaviour science, prevention science, and implementation science to challenge deficit-based practices, reduce restrictive measures, and foster equitable systems. Key research interests include the application of MTSS integrating academic, behavioural, and wellbeing supports; operationalisation of PBS and Universal Design for Learning (UDL); functional behavioural assessment; interprofessional collaboration; and UDL in higher education.

Leif's contributions have earned her several accolades, including the Dean's Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2019), Monash Graduate Association Lecturer of the Year Award (2019, awarded 2020), Vice-Chancellor’s Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (Early Career) (2020), and Dean's Award for Industry and Community Education Programs (2022). Notable publications include 'Component analysis of a self-monitoring intervention for increasing task engagement for individuals with developmental disabilities' (2026, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis); 'A systematic review of social-validity assessments in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis: 2010–2020' (2024, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis); 'A scoping review of the use of robotics technologies for supporting social-emotional learning in children with autism' (2024, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders); and 'A systematic review of the facilitators and barriers to the sustained implementation of school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports' (2022, Education and Treatment of Children). She chairs the board of Behaviour Support Practitioners Australia and is a founding member of the Global Positive Behaviour Support Coalition, enhancing evidence-based practice implementation worldwide. Her research aligns with Monash University’s Impact 2030 strategy and key Australian inquiries into disability and education.