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Staff Profile

Associate Professor Robert Conway

Associate Professor
Director of Special Education Centre
Director Centre for Special Education and Disability Studies

Faculty/Division: Education and Arts
School:                 Education
Phone:                  +61 2 4921 6273
Fax:                      +61 2 4921 6939
Email:                  Bob.Conway@newcastle.edu.au
Location:             SE24 Special Education Centre
Campus:               Callaghan

Biography:

My background is as a teacher in both mainstream and special education. I came to the Special Education Centre to provide a consultancy service to schools and families and have been the Director of the Centre since 2000. I have been involved in a wide range of evaluations and reviews of special education services in recent years, particularly in relation to services for students with emotional and behaviour difficulties.

Qualifications:

DipSpecEd (Newcastle CAE)
BA (Newcastle)
BEd Studies (Newcastle)
MEd (Newcastle)
PhD (Macquarie)

Academic Appointments:

The University of Newcastle
- Associate Professor (1996 - current)
- Senior Lecturer (1989-1995)
- Lecturer (1980-1989)

Consultancies & Community Service:

2004: Consultant to the Hunter-Central Coast Region of NSW DET in the evaluation of special education services
2004: Consultant to the ACT Department of Education and Training on the development of alternate secondary behaviour support services
2003: Consultant to Tasmanian Department of Education for the review of the statewide behaviour support service
2003: Consultant to ACT Department of Education, Youth and Family Services for the review of behaviour services
2002-2003: Consultancy the DEST on the development of common approaches to the definition of disability
2002-2004: Consultant to Lake Macquarie District for the evaluation, implementation and re-evaluation of behaviour services
2001-2003: Consultant to Education Queensland for the development of a new funding model for disability services
2000: Consultant to NT Government on Special Education in the new Curriculum Framework.
2000: UNESCO and Government of India. Establishment of a South Asia Centre for Inclusive Education.
1998-1999: Centrelink - training of Disability Officers
1998: NSW Department of Education and Training for provision of a Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Emotional Disturbance/Behaviour Problems)Continuation funding for 1998 cohort of students
1997: NSW Department of Education and Training for provision of a Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Emotional Disturbance/Behaviour Problems)
1994-1996: Commonwealth of Australia for review of abuse within services to persons with intellectual disabilities in Australia
1995: Australian Vice Chancellors Committee: Review of special education services in Thailand
1990-1999: Rajabhat Institutes Council Thailand for development of special education services and facilities; short course training in Australia and Thailand

Publications/Productions/Exhibitions:

Books and Monographs

Ashman, A.F. & Conway, R.N.F. (1997). Cognitive education: Theory and application. London: Routledge.
Ashman, A.F. & Conway, R.N.F. (1993). Cognitive strategies in the classroom. London: Routledge.
Ashman, A.F. & Conway, R.N.F. (1989). Cognitive strategies for special education. London: Routledge.
Publications translated into Spanish, Mexican Spanish, Japanese and Italian

Edited Books and Monographs

Conway, R.N.F. & Izard, J. (Eds). (1995). Student behavioural outcomes: Choosing the appropriate path. Melbourne: Australian Council for Educational Research.
Arthur, M., Conway, R.N.F. & Foreman, P.J. (Eds). (1994). Quality and equality in intellectual disability. Proceedings of the 29th National Conference of the Australian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability, Newcastle: ASSID.

Book Chapters

Conway, R.N.F. (2005). Behaviour in and out of the classroom. In A.F. Ashman & J. Elkins (Eds.). Educating children with diverse abilities (2^nd Ed.) (pp.137-182). Sydney: Prentice Hall.
Conway, R.N.F. (2005). Adapting curriculum, teaching and learning strategies. In P. Foreman (Ed.) Inclusion in action. (pp. 102-173) Sydney: Harcourt Brace.
Conway, R.N.F. (2005). Encouraging positive interactions. (pp. 209-259). In P. Foreman (Ed.) Inclusion in action. Sydney: Harcourt Brace.
Conway, R.N.F. (2002). Behaviour inside and outside the classroom. In A.F. Ashman & J. Elkins (Eds.). Educating children with diverse abilities (1^st Ed.) (pp.172-236). Sydney: Prentice Hall.o Conway, R.N.F. (2001). Encouraging positive interactions. In P. Foreman (Ed.) Integration and inclusion in action (2^nd Edn)(pp.311-359). Sydney: Harcourt Brace. o Conway, R.N.F. (2001). Adapting curriculum, teaching and learning strategies. In P. Foreman (Ed.) Integration and inclusion in action. (2^nd Edn)(pp.262-310). Sydney: Harcourt Brace.
Conway, R.N.F. (1998). Meeting the needs of students with behavioural and emotional problems. In A.F. Ashman & J. Elkins (Eds), Educating children with special needs, (pp. 177-228). Third Edition. Sydney: Prentice Hall.
Conway, R.N.F. (1996). Curriculum adaptations. In P. Foreman (ed), Integration and inclusion in action, (pp.145-190). Sydney: Harcourt Brace.
Conway, R.N.F. (1996). Encouraging positive interactions. In P. Foreman (ed), Integration and inclusion in action, (pp. 267-312). Sydney: Harcourt Brace.

Refereed Journal Articles

Conway, R., Arthur-Kelly, M., & Pascoe, S. (2004). Practical difficulties in observing the diverse Australian classroom. Special Education Perspectives, 13(2) 31-37.
Robinson, G.L., Conway, R.N.F., & Sparkes, D. (2001). Visual function in people with dyslexia: Essential fatty acid metabolism, possible immune system dysfunction and the role of diet. Journal of the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment, 2(1), pp.8-16.
Conway, R.N.F. & Hopton, L. (2001). Application of a school-wide metacognitive training model: Effects on academic and planning performance. Journal of Cognitive Education and Psychology, 1(2), 140-153.
Hayes, B. & Conway, R N F. (2000). Concept acquisition in children with mild intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 25(3), 217-234.
Robinson, G.L.W. & Conway, R.N.F. (2000). Irlen lenses and adults: A small scale study of reading speed, accuracy, comprehension and self image. Australian Journal of Learning Disabilities, 5(1), 4-13.
Conway, R.N.F. (1999). Adapting curriculum and management strategies to support students with special needs in the inclusive classroom. SET: Research Ideas for Teachers: Special Education Special Edition. Article 6, 1-4.
Conway, R.N.F., Robinson, G.L.W., Foreman, P.J. & Dempsey, I. (1996). Educational service provision for students with mild intellectual disability: Curriculum and programming, teaching strategies and classroom management. Australasian Journal of Special Education,20(1), 12-24.
Foreman, P.J., Dempsey, I., Robinson, G.L.W. & Conway, R.N.F. (1996). Educational service provisions for students with mild intellectual disability: Teachers, schools, integration and resources. Australasian Journal of Special Education, 20(1), 25-39.
Ashman, A.F. & Conway, R.N.F. (1995). Training students with an intellectual impairment to use metacognitive strategies. International Journal of Intellectual Impairment, 8, 3-12.
Eight prior to 1995

Other Publications

Conway, R.N.F., Ringland, J., Urane, C., & Sullivan, T (2004). Report of an evaluation of special education services in the Hunter-Central Coast Region. Hunter Central-Coast Region NSW Department of Education and Training.
Conway, R.N.F.(2003). Report of a review of the provision of alternate settings in the ACT Government Education system. ACT Department of Education, Youth and Family Services.
Conway, R.N.F. (2003). Report of an evaluation of Lake Macquarie District behaviour services. NSW Department of Education and Training.
Conway, R.N.F. (2003). Report of a review of the Statewide Behaviour Support Team in the Tasmanian Department of Education. Tasmanian Department of Education.
Conway, R.N.F, & Dempsey, I. (2003). Final Report to PMRT Disability Definitions Working Group on the development of a common definition of, and approach to, data collection on students with disabilities for the purpose of nationally comparable reporting of their outcomes in the context of the National Goals of Schooling in the Twenty-First Century. Australian Commonwealth Government.
Conway, R.N.F., Bergin, L. & Thornton, K. (1995). Abuse and adults with intellectual disability living in residential settings. Final report to the Commonwealth Office on Disability.
Conway, R.N.F., MacMullin, C. & Hyde, M. (1995). Report of the special education mission ThailandJanuary - February, 1995. Report to the Australian Vice Chancellors' Committee.

Professional Activities:

Refereed Conference Presentations

Conway, R.N.F. (2005, September). Special education – a health check. Invited keynote address. 29^th Annual Conference of the Australian Association of Special Education, Brisbane.
Conway, R.N.F. (2005, August).Inclusion of students with behaviour difficulties: rhetoric and practice. Paper accepted for presentation at the Inclusive and Supportive Education Congress (ISEC), Glasgow,Scotland.
Conway, R.N.F. (2005, August). Experiences of parents of children with special needs transitioning from early childhood to school. Paper accepted for presentation at the Inclusive and Supportive Education Congress (ISEC), Glasgow, Scotland.
Conway, R.N.F. (2005, April). Learning difficulties and behaviour problems: why the link and what are the strategies? Invited keynote address to the Annual SPELD Conference, Sydney.
Conway, R.N.F. & Porter, A. (2004, October). Challenging behaviours in young children: communicating or challenging? Invited presentation to the NSW Conference of the Early Childhood Intervention Australia Association, Wollongong.
Conway, R.N.F. (2004, September). Behaviour problems, mental ill-health or disability: what's in a word? Keynote Address to the joint conference of the Australian Association of Special Education and the Tasmanian Principals Association, Hobart
Conway, R.N.F., Porter, A., Gray, A. & Pascoe, S. (2004, July). Experiences of parents of children with special needs transitioning from early childhood to school. Paper presented to the 6th Biennial National Conference of The Early Childhood Intervention Australia Association, Melbourne.
Conway R.N.F., Wheatley^, H., Gray, A., Pascoe, S., Enks, D., & Anne Porter, A. (2004, July). The use of family-based language play-groups for young children with language and communication difficulties. Paper presented to the 6th Biennial National Conference of The Early Childhood Intervention Australia Association, Melbourne.
Conway, R.N.F. (2003, November). Behaviour problems, mental health and disability: Where are we at and where are we going? Keynote address to Hunter Branch of the Australian Association of Special Education Biannual Conference, Newcastle
Conway, R.N.F., & Gray, A. (2003, November). Strengthening family, school and community involvement through a cooperative multi-disciplinary model of support. National Family Strengths Conference, Newcastle
Conway, R.N.F., & Porter, A. (2003, November). Strengthening families of children with special needs for the transition from early education intervention to school. Paper presented at the National Family Strengths Conference, Newcastle
Conway, R.N.F. (2003, September). Early childhood intervention services. Lifespan symposium paper 1^st Life Activities International Conference on Disability, Newcastle.
Conway, R.N.F. (2003, March). Boys and behaviour problems. Paper presented at the National Boys into Fine Men Conference, Newcastle.
Conway, R.N.F. (2003, February). Disability and inclusion. Keynote address to the Northern Territory Department of Education Annual Conference, Darwin
Conway, R.N.F. (2002, October). Meeting the mental health needs of students with behaviour problems. Paper presented at the Mater Dei Conference
Conway, R.N.F. (2001, November). Alternate approaches to conflict resolution. Paper presented at the 25^th International Conference of Teachers of Children with Behavior Disorders Conference, Scottsdale.
Conway, R.N.F. (2000, November). School community forums as an alternative to suspension. Paper presented at the 24^th International Conference of Teachers of Children with Behavior Disorders Conference, Scottsdale.
Conway, R.N.F. (2002, October). Skills-based training as an alternative to detention. Paper presented at the International Child and Adolescent Conference, Miami.
Conway, R.N.F. (2000, June). Students with learning difficulties: difficulties and strategies. Paper presented at the Successful Learning Conference. Sydney
Conway, R.N.F. (1999, November). Involving non-special education staff in a compulsory undergraduate semester subject about integration and inclusion. Paper presented at the 22^nd Annual Teacher Education Division Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Palm Springs.
Conway, R.N.F. (1997, September): Cross cultural perspectives on behaviour disorders. Keynote luncheon address to the Council for Children with Behavior Disorders, Dallas.
Conway, R.N.F. (1997, July): Ageing and abuse in persons with disabilities. Keynote address to the Asian and South Pacific International Conference on Special Education, Sydney.
Conway, R.N.F. (1997, May): International cooperation on the development of special education services in Thailand. Joint keynote address to the First International Conference on Special Education, Brunei.
Conway, R.N.F. (1996, May): Restructuring facilities of education to meet changing demands. Keynote address to the Rajabhat Institute Council Annual Council.
Conway, R.N.F. (1996, September): Abuse incidents in residential settings for adults with intellectual disability. Keynote address to the joint National Conference of the National Council on Intellectual Disability and the Australian Society on Intellectual Disability, Hobart.

Refereed Conference Proceedings

Conway, R.N.F., Porter, A., Gray, A. & Pascoe, S. (2004, July). Experiences of parents of children with special needs transitioning from early childhood to school. In: Proceedings of the Conference "Early Childhood Intervention Australia, Sixth Biennial National Conference", 25 - 27 July 2004, Melbourne, Victoria, Eds, Conference Organising Committee of the ECIA Sixth Biennial Conference.
Conway R.N.F., Wheatley^, H., Gray, A., Pascoe, S., Enks, D., & Anne Porter, A. (2004, July). The use of family-based language play-groups for young children with language and communication difficulties. In: Proceedings of the Conference "Early Childhood Intervention Australia, Sixth Biennial National Conference", 25 - 27 July 2004, Melbourne, Victoria, Eds, Conference Organising Committee of the ECIA Sixth Biennial Conference.

Theses Examinations

Honors, Research Masters, PhD and Minor theses examined for The University of Wollongong, The University of Western Sydney, Nepean, and Griffith University.

Research:

Training and Supervision

Currently supervising five PhD students and eight minor thesis students
Supervised to successful completion three PhD students, one Masters by Research student and ten minor thesis students.

Prizes, Honours and Awards

Citation for Distinguished Service to the field of intellectual disability awarded by the Australian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability

Scholarly Activities:

Keynote Addresses

Conway, R.N.F. (2005, September). Special education – a health check. Invited keynote address. 29^th Annual Conference of the Australian Association of Special Education, Brisbane.
Conway, R.N.F. (2005, April). Learning difficulties and behaviour problems: why the link and what are the strategies? Invited keynote address to the Annual SPELD Conference, Sydney.
Conway, R.N.F. (2004, September). Behaviour problems, mental ill-health or disability: what's in a word? Keynote address to the joint conference of the Australian Association of Special Education and the Tasmanian Principals Association, Hobart
Conway, R.N.F. (2003, November). Behaviour problems, mental health and disability: Where are we at and where are we going? Keynote address to Hunter Branch of the Australian Association of Special Education Biannual Conference, Newcastle
Conway, R.N.F. (2003, February). Disability and inclusion. Keynote address to the Northern Territory Department of Education Annual Conference, Darwin
Conway, R.N.F. (1997, September): Cross cultural perspectives on behaviour disorders. Keynote luncheon address to the Council for Children with Behavior Disorders, Dallas.
Conway, R.N.F. (1997, July): Ageing and abuse in persons with disabilities. Keynote address to the Asian and South Pacific International Conference on Special Education, Sydney.
Conway, R.N.F. (1997, May): International cooperation on the development of special education services in Thailand. Joint keynote address to the First International Conference on Special Education, Brunei.
Conway, R.N.F. (1996, May): Restructuring facilities of education to meet changing demands. Keynote address to the Rajabhat Institute Council Annual Council.
Conway, R.N.F. (1996, September): Abuse incidents in residential settings for adults with intellectual disability. Keynote address to the joint National Conference of the National Council on Intellectual Disability and the Australian Society on Intellectual Disability, Hobart.

Governance

Chair School of Education Graduate Coursework Committee (2002)
Assistant Dean (Graduate Coursework) (2000-2001)
Director Special Education Centre (2000-current)
Director Centre for Special Education and Disability Studies (2000-current)
Assistant Dean (Continuing Education and Special Projects) (1998-1999)
Assistant Dean (Continuing Education) (1996-1997)
Assistant Director, Special Education Centre (1992-1999)
Course Director Master of Special Education (1991-2000)
Course Director BEd (Year 4 Special Education/Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies Special Education) (1989-2000)
Program Coordinator Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (ED/BD) (1997-current)

Membership of Networks and Professional Associations

Australian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability
Australian Association of Special Education
Australian College of Education
Council for Exceptional Children
Council for Children with Behavioural Disorders

Memberships of Editorial Boards

Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability
International Journal of Disability, Development and Education
Reviewer for Journal of Teacher Education

Faculty of Education and Arts