Dr. Lauren Petrass
Senior Lecturer, Health and Physical Education
Campus
Biography
Dr Lauren Petrass is a teacher educator and researcher with a strong national and international reputation. In teaching and learning, Lauren has demonstrated impact through sustained innovation, peer recognition, and measurable improvements in student outcomes, which have been recognised through awards, including a Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Contributions to Student Learning and a National Office for Learning and Teaching Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning.
Lauren’s research focuses on applied safety education, with expertise in drowning prevention, water safety education, injury prevention and sports surface safety. Her work is strongly oriented toward translation into practice, and in partnership with organisations such as Life Saving Victoria, Lauren contributes to evidence-informed educational practice, professional learning, and curriculum development across school, community, and sporting contexts.
Methodologically, Lauren has expertise in qualitative and mixed methods research, alongside a strong track record of peer-reviewed publications. Lauren also mentors early career academics and researchers, supporting research capability, academic writing, and the development of confident, collaborative scholarly practice.
Fields of research
- Physical education and development curriculum and pedagogy
- Sports science and exercise not elsewhere classified
- Curriculum and pedagogy theory and development
More about Lauren
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Ballarat
- Graduate Diploma of Outdoor and Environmental Education, University of Ballarat
- Bachelor of Education (Physical Education) Honours, University of Ballarat
Areas of interest
- Drowning prevention
- Swimming and water safety
- Child swimming competency
- Program evaluation
- Evaluating teaching practice
Areas of expertise
Lauren has expertise in drowning prevention and water safety education, including the design and evaluation of aquatic programs and interventions to improve safety knowledge, skills, and behaviours. This work is of significant national importance in Australia, given the recent increase in drowning incidents. She has also conducted research evaluating teaching practices, pedagogies, and educational programs, examining their impact on student learning and engagement.
Grants
- Petrass, L., & Robertson, D. 2021. Data Driven Decision Making Workshops. Department of Education and Training ($8,460)
- Petrass, L. 2021-2024. Identifying at risk students. Life Saving Victoria ($30,400)
- Petrass, L. 2019. Survival swimming 5-lesson pilot program ($45,500)
Awards
- 2016: University of Ballarat: Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence – Research (team)
- 2016: Australian Government Department of Education and Training: National Office of Learning and Teaching Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning
- 2015: University of Ballarat: Vice-Chancellor’s Citation for Contribution to Student Learning
Current
- PhD student, Federation University ‘Understanding the constructs that contribute to the development of professional identity in Outdoor Education teachers’, supervisor.
- Graduate Certificate in Research student, Federation University ‘Understanding and Supporting Neurodiversity in Teacher Education Professional Experiences’, supervisor.
Past
- PhD student, Federation University ‘Under the influence : identifying determinants of young adults' involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity to improve drowning prevention efforts’, supervisor.
- Master’s student, Federation University, ‘An investigation of Surf Life Saving Australia's Junior Development Program for Nippers’, supervisor.
- Secondary education
- Curriculum and assessment
- Assessment, feedback and reporting
- Swimming and water safety education
Centre for Regional Education Research and Development (CRERD)
- Publications
Measuring Australian Primary School Children's Water Safety Knowledge: Alignment With the Victorian Water Safety Certificate
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1111/josh.70081
Exploring the impact of formative outdoor education experiences on young people entering higher education outdoor education programmes in Australia
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.1080/14729679.2026.2618233