“I was always interested in pursuing more equitable outcomes for Australian students and the international data now show that we could achieve excellence and equity in outcomes simultaneously while providing opportunities for all children.”
Emeritus Professor Barry McGaw AO is recognised as one of the 21st century’s most influential forces in education, both within Australia and around the world.
Through his work in education research and policy, McGaw has sought to reduce inequality by decreasing the impact that differences in socio-economic background have on educational outcomes for students.
McGaw has served with peak national and international educational bodies such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).
In 2009, McGaw was appointed by the Prime Minister of Australia as the inaugural Chair of the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). In this role, McGaw led the production of the first national school curriculum for Australia, which has since been adopted across the country.
McGaw has been recognised for his work with honours and awards that include various fellowships including in the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, of which he also served as President, an Australian Centenary Medal, and appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia.
