Staff Profile

Louise Mercer is a Lecturer in the School of Learning and Professional Studies at the Queensland University of Technology. Prior to taking up this position in July 2007, she had been a regular classroom teacher, a compensatory language teacher, a special education support teacher, and a school psychologist (Kindergarten to Year 12) in a number of school districts in Alberta and British Columbia , Canada . She had also been a sessional lecturer at the University of British Columbia ( Vancouver , BC ) where she completed her doctorate in 2004 and at Simon Fraser University ( Burnaby , BC ).

Research Interests

Louise has been involved in research projects related to: policies and practices with regard to early identification and intervention of learning disabilities, the development of young students` self-regulated learning skills, peer relations especially rejection, and adolescent depression and suicide. Her current interests are focused on:

•  the identification and support of students with learning difficulties/disabilities,

•  the perceptions of social support and self-efficacy of students with learning difficulties/disabilities,

•  the experience of stress and anxiety by students with learning difficulties/disabilities,

•  the preparation of pre-service teachers to support students with learning difficulties/disabilities

Louise`s undergraduate teaching has included courses focused on developmental reading, development and exceptionality in the inclusive classroom, learning difficulties, and learning disabilities while her graduate teaching has focused on the reading process, reading curriculum, diagnostic assessment and remediation of basic academic skills, and learning disabilities.

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

Learning Difficulties Australia (LDA)

Specific Learning Disabilities Queensland (SPELD)