Spatial Competency and Literacy for Educators

Marian Mahat is a leading researcher in learning environments, driving sustained and impactful research that fosters partnerships with government agencies, education departments, schools, and industry organisations. Her mission is to convene interdisciplinary, translational research that is adopted by education systems and schools, leading to long-term improvements in student learning and outcomes.

Marian's research addresses critical issues at the intersection of the physical and pedagogical learning environments, with a particular focus on spatial literacy and competency, evidence-based teacher-led inquiry, and professional learning and development. She collaborates across multiple disciplines, employing innovative quantitative and qualitative methodologies to bridge research and practice. Her contributions include over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and reports, as well as securing more than AUD$3M in external research grants and contracts (as leads and co-leads). Her work is nationally and internationally recognised, earning accolades such as the Faculty of Education's Research Excellence Awards (2019, 2024) and the Research Partnership Excellence Award (2018).

Marian leads a team from the University of Melbourne, alongside a consortium of five European universities, on an Erasmus+ project focusing on empowering teachers to co-design and utilise school learning environments. She also spearheads system-level spatially focused professional learning programs, including collaborations with Sydney Catholic Schools, Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership and Principals Academy Singapore. Her expertise has been further recognised through Fellowships at the National Institute of Education in Singapore (2022, 2024). Additionally, she leads a series of micro-credentials on Leading Change in Learning Environments at the University of Melbourne and serves as the series editor of Linking Theory and Practice in Learning Environments (Emerald) and Associate Editor of the Learning Environments Research Journal (Springer).‍

Beyond her research leadership in learning environments, Marian is deeply committed to building the capacity and capability of academic staff. She is the series editor of Surviving and Thriving in Academia and the editor of Achieving Academic Promotion, Women Thriving in Academia, and Academic Resilience (Emerald). Through her leadership, she continues to support and mentor academics in navigating and excelling in their careers.