Rate My Professor Simon Hatji

Simon Hatji is a Lecturer in the School of Education within the College of Education, Behavioural and Social Sciences at Adelaide University. He holds the position of Lecturer, Education Futures | Arts Education. His research interests encompass Arts Education, Artist-Led initiatives, Multimedia, Visual Art, and Media Arts. He is engaged in action research examining the use of background music in classrooms and its impact on students' perceptions of the learning environment, particularly in enhancing focus, mood, and motivation. Hatji teaches a range of courses including Becoming a Primary Teacher with an Arts Specialisation, Foundations in Arts Education, Drama and Visual Arts: Story Landscapes, Production, Presentation and Audience in Arts Education, Curriculum and Pedagogy 2 (Arts and Health and PE), and Curriculum and Pedagogy 3 (Arts and Technologies).

As an arts educator and multidisciplinary artist, Simon Hatji is passionate about storytelling and the role of the arts in supporting children's well-being through creative expression. His extensive teaching experience spans primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. He began his career as an Aboriginal Education Teacher and later coordinated arts-based programs for Aboriginal children and families across multiple schools. Prior to joining Adelaide University, he taught arts education at the University of South Australia for seven years. He also served as an educator with Nature Play SA. Trained in visual arts and multimedia, Hatji has professional experience in music production, performance, and community arts. This includes Artist-in-Residence roles and operating a creative arts business that delivered in-school workshops focused on songwriting and media arts. A notable publication co-authored by Hatji is Carmody, R., Edwards, M., Hatji, S., Shin, A. M., & MacGill, B. (2026). Enhancing Undergraduate Pre-Service Teachers’ Self-Efficacy in Arts Education: Integrating Creative Body-Based Learning and an Ethics of Care. Australian Journal of Education.