Professor Sandra Gattenhof

Biography

Sandra Gattenhof is

Professor and Director of Research Training in the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice (CIESJ) at Queensland University of Technology. She has previously been Discipline Leader Dance, Drama, Music. Over the past ten years Sandra has led major arts impact and evaluation consultancies for Australian and Pacific cultural organisations. She is Chief Investigator for Australian Research Council Linkage Project The Role of the Creative Arts in Regional Australia: a social impact model (2019-2022), Social Impact Research and Evaluation Strategy for the Puuya Foundation in Lockhart River (2021-2023), and Valuing the Arts Australia and New Zealand (2020). A life-long arts educator, Sandra is recognised as a leader in arts and creative learning and has published high profile outputs in the fields of arts and cultural evaluation, arts education, and contemporary performance. She is the co-leader Creative Placemaking for Social Impact QUT Research Group. Sandra is an observer on National Advocates for Arts Education having previously been Drama Australia’s representative for ten years. In 2012 Sandra was awarded Drama Queensland Life Membership and in 2021 was award the Drama Australia President's Award. Sandra is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Sandra has been at the forefront of the development of The Arts national curriculum serving as an Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority Advisory Group Member and Drama consultant. In 2011 Sandra was recipient of QUT Creative Industries Faculty Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research and Innovation Sandra is a recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Performance Award (in recognition of a significant and superior contribution to the work of the University) 2007 and 2014; 2007 Carrick Awards Citation Nominee for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning; and 2006 QUT Creative Industries Faculty Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence (Early Career). Her creative practice and research centres on theatre for children and young people, contemporary performance primary drama education and new media/interactive teaching environments.