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  • A portrait of Dr Suzanne Stewart smiling with a tree in the background

    Dr Suzanne Stewart

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Dr Suzanne Stewart

Suzanne is a Lecturer in the School of Education.

Background

Dr Suzanne Stewart is an experienced educator with a career spanning PK–12 and higher education, both locally and internationally. She has a strong background in special and inclusive education, with particular expertise in child and adolescent mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Passionate about teaching and learning, Suzanne is committed to creating supportive, inclusive environments where neurodiverse students can thrive. Her PhD research was the first to confirm Hirsch and Matthews’ (2012) Cognitive Model of Pathological Worry in adolescents with NDDs, advancing theoretical understanding of how repetitive negative thought patterns contribute to poor mental health outcomes.

Over four years, her research identified the social situations most likely to trigger worry, loneliness and anxiety in adolescents with NDDs. These findings informed the development of an innovative 3-D serious game, which embedded a cognitive therapeutic approach designed to address negative interpretive bias (CBM-I). This highly original work demonstrated the potential of serious games as powerful therapeutic tools for improving wellbeing in vulnerable populations. Alongside her research, Suzanne brings extensive expertise, grounded in current best practices in pedagogy, assessment, student wellbeing, and positive behaviour support. She continues to champion inclusive education and innovative approaches that empower all learners to succeed.

Awards and recognition

  • 2024 - The Dr Teck Jin Lian Memorial Prize in Education (The University of Western Australia)
  • 2024 - The Cameron Prize in Education (The University of Western Australia)
  • 2019 - The Australian Council of Educational Leaders Award (The University of Western Australia)

Research areas and interests

  • Special and Inclusive Education
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ASD, ADHD and SLD)
  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health
  • The therapeutic potential of serious games
  • Teaching and Learning in a Neurodiverse Classrooms
  • Best practice pedagogy and assessment
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