Middle Leaders Conference

Tim Bullard brings a deep commitment to equity, learning, and public service to his 
role as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School 
Leadership (AITSL).  
 

With a career spanning law, public policy, and education leadership, in both Australia 
and the United Kingdom, Tim is passionate about improving outcomes for children 
and young people.  
 

After holding senior policy roles in the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the 
Tasmanian Department of Education between 2004 and 2018, Tim was appointed 
Secretary of the Department of Education where he served for 5 years.  
 

In 2022, Tim was appointed to lead the newly formed Department for Education, 
Children and Young People, bringing together education, child safety, and youth 
justice into a values-based organisation focused on ensuring every child is known, 
safe, well, and learning.  
 

Appointed CEO of AITSL in 2024, Tim brings a collaborative and future-focused 
approach to national education leadership, supporting and championing quality 
teaching and school leadership as the key to making a positive difference in the lives 
of all children and young people. 

Associate Professor Kylie Lipscombe is an educational leadership researcher and practitioner in the School of Education at the University of Wollongong, with over 24 years’ experience across schools, systems, and higher education. Her research focuses on middle leadership development, teacher collaboration, and leadership identity, with over 35 publications and 700 citations. 

As Lead Academic Partner with the NSW Department of Education, Kylie co-designed two flagship statewide programs — the Middle Leadership Development Program and the Aspiring Principals Leadership Program — impacting thousands of educators across the state. She has secured over $6 million in funding for leadership development initiatives and has served as NSW President of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders. 

Kylie has also advised on middle leadership development for Catholic Schools NSW and served as an expert advisor for the development of the AITSL Australian Professional Standards for Middle Leaders. 

She is passionate about bridging research and practice to empower school leaders at every level, and is a sought-after keynote speaker on middle leadership across Australia.

Dr. Ryan Dunn is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne, specialising in teacher professional learning, educational leadership, middle level leadership, and evidence-based instruction. 

With extensive international experience, he has advised and collaborated with schools and districts across Australia, the United States, Canada, and Singapore. Dr. Dunn's research and practical work focus on improving educational outcomes through effective leadership and evidence-informed teaching strategies. 

He maintains a close partnership with the Victorian Department of Education, leading projects in mathematics education, middle leadership development, and networked learning initiatives.