Gail T Gillon

Professor Gail Gillon, PhD, is the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the College of Education, Health and Human Development at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. A native New Zealander (Ngai Tahu iwi), she completed her undergraduate qualifications in speech language therapy, education, and primary teaching followed by her PhD in Speech and Hearing. Her research interest in phonological awareness began over 20 years with her successful trials of phonological awareness intervention for older children who struggled with reading and spelling. Since that time her research has predominantly focused on understanding the importance of phonological awareness amidst other linguistic domains to facilitate early reading success, particularly for young children who may be at risk of written language difficulties. Her work has been widely published and she has won on three occasions an American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) Editor’s award for research article of highest merit. She is a Fellow of ASHA and is currently a Co-Director on a 10 year National Science Research Challenge in New Zealand focused on A Better Start for all children.