Sarah Gaudieri

Lecturer in Behavioural Science
BA, MA (Psych), Grad Dip Ed (ECS)

Email: sarah.gaudieri@nd.edu.au
Phone: 9433 0220

  • Biography

    Dr Sarah Gaudieri is a Lecturer in the School of Arts and Sciences. Sarah's doctoral research focused on the lived experience of students with developmental neurological differences such as ADHD, Specific Learning Disorders and Sensory Processing Disorder, and teachers' experiences of working with students with these diagnoses. Sarah’s methodological expertise is in qualitative research including critical hermeneutic phenomenology. Her work at the intersection of neurodiversity and learning contributes to the University’s Strong Communities and Exceptional Care transformative research pillars, as well as the priority field of research Education.

    Sarah’s Masters degree in psychology focused on developmental, educational and social psychology. Sarah's thesis examined leadership endorsement and social justice. Sarah has worked as a vocational facilitator for people with psychiatric disabilities and head injury as well as being a founding volunteer of Lifeline Otago in counselling and training roles. After completing her Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) at Edith Cowan University, Sarah worked in government schools in Western Australia for 10 years before moving to the tertiary sector. In 2026 Sarah drew these experience and expertise together to launch Sensory Education Australia, a consultancy supporting parents and teachers in understanding neurodiverse children.

  • Teaching Areas

    • As a lecturer in Behavioural Science and Counselling programs in the School of Arts and Sciences on the Fremantle campus of UNDA (2018-2025), she established the Neurodiversity Study Support Group to further support for students with learning differences at UNDA. Sarah is a member of the Student Equity Community of Practice and has worked closely with Access and Inclusion and the Study Support Centre to develop and promote services for neurodiverse students.
    • Sarah has coordinated and taught courses in Research Methods, Foundations of Human Behaviour, Organisational Behaviour, Contemporary Family Issues, Psychological Perspectives on Health, Professional Practice and Community Mental Health for Behavioural Science students. She has coordinated and taught Counselling Children for counselling students and Developmental Psychology for Health Science, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Education and Arts & Sciences students.

  • Community Engagement

    • Sarah has been invited to present on neurodiversity at a range of community organisations including Dr YES, Sharing Best Practice and Lutheran Youth Western Australia. She was part of a panel discussion entitled "What's in a Word" on the impact of dyslexia alongside author Jackie French and DSF CEO Mandy Nayton.

  • Conference Papers

    • Gaudieri, S. (2025, April). Understanding the Lived Experience of Neurodiversity [Paper presentation]. Equity Practitioners in Higher Education Association Professional Chapter Meeting. Perth, Australia.
    • Gaudieri, S. (2024, October). Neurodiversity research insights at Higher Education [Paper presentation]. National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services Professional Development Day. Perth, Australia.
    • Gaudieri, S., & Busch R. (2024, February). Critically applying the lived experience of neurodiversity to teaching and learning in higher education [Paper presentation]. Western Australia Teaching and Learning Forum 2024, Perth, Australia.
    • Gaudieri, S. (2023, September). Neurodiversity Study Support Group [Paper presentation]. Student Equity Forum. University of Notre Dame, Australia. Perth, Australia.

  • Research Expertise and supervision

    Sarah welcomes inquiries from potential HDR students, for co-supervision in the following areas:

    • Neurodiverse diagnoses particularly, ADHD, SLD, SPD
    • Supporting neurodiverse students in schools
    • Exploring teachers' understanding of neurodiverse diagnoses
    • Mental health and wellbeing of neurodiverse students

  • In the Media

    • Murphy, L. (2024, September 19). Students learn what it's like to be a first responder. Examiner Newspapers.

  • Awards

    • Vice Chancellor's Award for Initiatives that Enhance Student Learning (2022)

  • Other

    • Doctoral Thesis: Gaudieri, S. (2025). Exploring the lived experiences of developmental neurological differences (DND) in the Western Australian classroom: A former student and teacher perspective. [Doctoral thesis, Edith Cowan University].