Monash Faculty of Education celebrates the success of 2025

As 2025 concludes, Monash University’s Faculty of Education reflects on its successes and highlights. From launching two new innovative impact labs, to celebrating 50 years of Psychology in Education, and from excellence in teaching to impactful research, 2025 was a year full of achievements.

Here are some of our key highlights.

1. Monash Education ranked number 1 in Australia and top 10 globally

Monash Education continues to lead global university rankings, securing the top position in Australia and 10th worldwide, according to the 2025 Shanghai Ranking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

US News also ranked Monash University 4th in Best Global Universities in Australia and 5th for Education and Educational Research. Adding to this success, Monash recorded its best-ever result in the QS World University Rankings 2026, placing 36th globally.

Monash University was again recognised as one of Australia’s strongest-performing research institutions in The Australian’s annual rankings. Within the Faculty, Professor Umesh Sharma was recognised as a leading researcher Specialist Education.

2. Award-winning research on the manosphere

Monash Education’s Dr Stephanie Wescott and Professor Steve Roberts received the Australian Sociological Association’s ‘Sociology in Action Award’ at the 2025 TASA Conference. This honour recognises research that meaningfully engages communities, influences policy, and creates tangible social change. Their work examining the influence of the manosphere and associated forms of misogyny and sexism in schools was praised for both scholarly excellence and real-world impact.

Dr Wescott, Associate Professor Rebecca Cooper and Simone Nguyen have also published an article titled ‘Navigating the Manosphere – what educators need to know’, and recorded a related episode on the ‘Let’s Talk Teaching’ podcast.

Read more: Navigating the Manosphere – what educators need to know - Monash Education

3. Launch of the Science Education in the Anthropocene Lab (SEA Lab)

The Faculty celebrated the establishment of the Science Education in the Anthropocene Lab (SEA Lab), a transformative research hub dedicated to reimagining science education for a rapidly changing world. The Lab brings together leading scholars to embed environmental, cultural and societal perspectives in science teaching, empowering young people to navigate and shape the challenges of the Anthropocene.

Read more: Science Education in the Anthropocene Lab - Monash Education

4. Launch of the Trauma-informed Education and Research (TIER) Impact Lab

The Faculty also launched the TIER Impact Lab, a major interdisciplinary initiative advancing trauma-informed practice across schools, tertiary institutions, community services and workplaces. Bringing together educators, psychologists and social scientists, TIER is already delivering evidence-based professional development, leadership training, policy guidance and culturally responsive approaches. The Lab reinforces Monash’s strong commitment to wellbeing, social equity and meaningful real-world impact.

Read more: Trauma-Informed Education and Research Impact Lab - Monash Education

5. 50 years of psychology in the Faculty of Education

This year marked a major milestone: 50 years of psychology at Monash’s Faculty of Education. What began as a modest offering has grown into a world-class centre of excellence in educational psychology, counselling, human development and wellbeing.

The School of Educational Psychology and Counselling now brings together internationally recognised experts and offers comprehensive undergraduate, postgraduate and research programs that equip graduates to support students, families and communities.

6. Launch of the Bachelor of Learning Design and Technology

In 2025 the Faculty launched the Bachelor of Learning Design and Technology, a new undergraduate pathway beyond traditional teaching degrees. Created in collaboration with industry partners, the program prepares graduates to become learning designers: professionals who combine creativity, technology, psychology and design thinking to craft engaging, accessible and scalable learning experiences.

With global demand for learning designers growing across gaming, corporate training, education technologies, government and health sectors, the new degree positions Monash Education at the forefront of shaping the future of learning.

Looking ahead

As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, the Faculty remains focused on delivering world-class research and championing innovative approaches to education. We look forward to continuing to support the next generation of leaders and learners.