Professor Claire McLachlan is coming home to the University of Waikato early next year to take up the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor for Te Wānanga Toi Tangata, the Division of Education.

Claire is currently Executive Dean of the Institute of Education, Arts and Community at Federation University Australia. She holds a BA (double major English and Education), MA with First Class Honours in Education and a PhD in Education, all from Massey University.

Claire is delighted to be returning home to Waikato where she has family and strong ties to the University.  
She holds an Honorary Professor role in the University’s Wilf Malcolm Institute for Educational Research, and was previously the Head of School, Curriculum and Pedagogy, in Waikato’s former Faculty of Education.

Claire is an elected member of the Royal Society Te Apārangi and is a current member of the Early Childhood Research Policy Forum and the Early Childhood Sector Reference Group for the New Zealand Ministry of Education.

Her research interests include early childhood education, early literacy, physical activity in young children, curriculum and pedagogy, and assessment and evaluation.

Claire is a passionate sector advocate and has made contributions to the state and national bodies that represent Deans of Education in Australia.

Claire joins the University of Waikato at the end of January 2024.