Meet The
The current Executive Committee for the International Network for School Attendance (INSA) has members from five countries, including members instrumental in establishing the Lorentz Workshop which led to the formation of INSA (see History of INSA).
In 2023, Glenn Melvin (Australia) is President, Carolyn Gentle-Genitty (USA) is Vice President, David Heyne (Netherlands) is Immediate Past President, Gil Keppens (Belgium) is Chair of the Scientific Program Committee, and Catriona O’Toole (Ireland) is Chair of the Education, Training, and Policy Committee. The Executive Committee consults with the 21 founding members of INSA on matters of its mission, methods, and progression.
"Education is central to children's healthy development. By forming a professional network we increase the sharing of knowledge and support the development of new ideas about improving school attendance. This is central to the Mission of INSA and I’m proud to support this Mission."
Dr Glenn Melvin
Associate Professor
School of Psychology
Deakin University
Australia
“One of the most important things we do for our children is ensure their time in education enriches them forever. For this, they need to be present and engaged. My personal goal is to promote proper practice and science for absenteeism and attendance, to interrupt negative pathways for students.”
Dr Carolyn Gentle-Genitty
Associate Professor
Indiana University School of Social Work
Assistant Vice President for University Academic Policy
Director University Transfer Office
Office of Executive Vice President for University Academic Affairs
Indiana University
USA
“Working to advance the Mission of INSA also fulfils a personal goal: to make research more meaningful for practice. I’m pleased to play a part in speeding up progress in the field of school attendance because there are great needs and there is a sense of urgency.”
Dr David Heyne
Honorary Associate Professor
School of Psychology
Deakin University
Australia
“In societies in which education is the key to success it is crucial to ensure that as many students as possible graduate. Attending school is a crucial condition for this. By being part of INSA it is my aim to improve school attendance and associated benefits for all school-aged youth around the globe. ”
Gil Keppens
Assistant Professor
School of Behavioral and Social Sciences - Sociology Dept
Tilburg University
“I believe in the transformative potential of education and the unique role that schools play in children and young people’s lives. I am committed to working to support emotionally healthy and intellectually stimulating school environments that enable all students to attend, feel connected and to thrive at school.”
Dr Catriona O’Toole
Associate Professor
C.Psychol.Ps.S.I.
Maynooth University Department of Education
Ireland
Access to education is a universal human right and can be a vehicle of change for individuals, communities, and society. I am excited to be part of an association such as INSA which has a commitment to support schools and systems to untangle the complexities in our understanding of school attendance and promote education for all”.
Dr Lisa McKay-Brown
Associate Professor of Learning Intervention
Faculty of Education
The University of Melbourne
The International Network for School Attendance (INSA) promotes school attendance and responds to school attendance problems. We compile, generate, evaluate, and disseminate information, assessment, and intervention strategies.
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