Dr. Janelle Davidson | Leadership | Excellence in Research

University of Wollongong | Australia

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education & Experience

Dr. Janelle Davidson holds a PhD from the University of Wollongong (2023), where she focused on applied research in organisational development and educational practice. Her academic qualifications also include a Graduate Certificate from the University of the Sunshine Coast (2009) and a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Western Sydney (2005). With over a decade of professional experience, Dr. Davidson has worked in both academic and government sectors, including her current role as a sessional academic at the University of Wollongong since 2021. She has previously held roles such as Senior Organisation Development Consultant at the City of Canterbury-Bankstown, Research Officer at Western Sydney University, and Project Officer at NSW Health, among others. Her experience spans teaching, research, project management, and strategic planning in complex environments.

Suitability Summary

Dr. Davidson is a versatile and accomplished professional whose career bridges academic research, education, and organisational development. Her strengths lie in designing and implementing continuous improvement strategies, coaching and mentoring in research practices, and managing large-scale transformation projects. She brings a flexible, solutions-focused mindset and is skilled at working with individuals from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Her dual expertise in academia and professional consulting makes her uniquely suited for roles that demand analytical thinking, change leadership, and collaborative problem-solving.

Professional Development

Throughout her career, Dr. Davidson has contributed significantly to staff capability building and professional learning. She has delivered workshops on business excellence and change management at the Sydney Business School, designed training programs for organisational improvement, and led knowledge-sharing initiatives within project teams. In the government sector, she managed stakeholder engagement and change initiatives across merged councils and healthcare agencies, often spearheading risk management and process innovation. Her ability to lead learning initiatives and coach teams in research, project coordination, and blended learning models underscores her commitment to lifelong learning and organisational growth.

Research Focus

Dr. Davidson’s research expertise spans both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. She is experienced in conducting thematic analysis of interviews, focus groups, and open-ended survey data, as well as developing research reports and evidence-based strategies. Her scholarly interests include organisational learning, change management, and equity in education. As a research coach at the University of Wollongong’s Sydney Business School, she mentors new students and promotes best practices in academic inquiry. Her academic presentations at national conferences reflect a strong grounding in critical and applied research approaches.

Honors & Awards

Dr. Davidson was awarded a prestigious bursary for her qualitative research methodology paper presented at the AARE 2023 Conference. She has also presented research at ANZAM Conferences in 2018 and 2020, showcasing her work in organisational development and management. Her recognition as a presenter and speaker reflects her strong communication skills and contributions to academic discourse. Additionally, her leadership on high-impact projects—such as establishing a new organisational vision for a merged council and implementing a new intranet system—demonstrate her capacity to drive innovation and lead with influence.

Top Notes Publication

Authors: Kylie K. Lipscombe, Sharon K. Tindall-Ford, Christine C. Grice, John J. De Nobile, Janelle Margaret J. Davidson

Journal: International Journal of Educational Management

Year: 2025