Dr Michael Nagel
Child Development, Learning & Educational Psychology Expert
Dr Michael Nagel brings decades of research, teaching and real-world experience to help audiences make sense of the developing brain and its impact on behaviour and learning. Known for his engaging style and practical insights, Michael connects neuroscience with everyday realities, empowering adults to support children more effectively at every stage of development.
Quick Contact
Dr Michael Nagel is an Associate Professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast, specialising in child and adolescent development, behaviour and learning. With more than 30 years’ experience across education systems on three continents, Michael is widely recognised for his ability to translate complex neuroscience and psychology into practical, evidence-based guidance for educators and parents.
Michael is the author of 21 books focusing on educational psychology and child development. His work is used in libraries and universities in more than 40 countries, including institutions such as Harvard, Oxford, Stanford, the University of California at Berkeley, Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University and the Library of Congress in Washington. His books are widely regarded for their accessible and practical integration of neuroscience, psychology and education.
His research interests centre on human development and the psychology of learning. Michael’s PhD involved an international study examining the learning experiences of Australian and Canadian adolescents. Prior to joining the University of the Sunshine Coast, he conducted research in the United States into neurological development in children, with particular interest in early childhood, adolescence and sex-based differences in brain development.
Michael has delivered more than 100 keynote addresses and conducted workshops and seminars for teachers and parents at over 300 schools in Australia and internationally. He is a regular media contributor and has appeared on TV New Zealand Breakfast, Canada AM, Sunrise, ABC National and The Project. He is also a member of the International Neuropsychological Society and a feature writer for The First Five Years, Jigsaw, and the Child magazine series, collectively reaching more than one million parents.
Michael’s most recent books include In the Beginning: The Brain, Early Development and Learning, Nurturing a Healthy Mind: Doing What Matters Most for Your Child’s Developing Brain, and In the Middle: The Adolescent Brain, Behaviour and Learning.
Topics
Toddlers, Tweens, Teens and Screens – How Technology May Be Harming the Developing Brain!
What are the most important things we can do to nurture the development of young minds and what might hinder that development? The first part of that question has an extensive body of research to support it. And while we do have insights into what can hinder development, the last decade has demonstrated that Intensive Early Screen Exposure (IESE) and overall time on screens appears to be having a range of detrimental impacts on the developing brain. In this presentation, Dr Michael Nagel will present evidence and research that looks at how screens might literally be reshaping the brains of young people in less than helpful ways. He will also present the steps that can be taken to ensure children and teens have the optimum environment to grow and develop in a world saturated in technology.
Virtual Autism, Depression and Other Screen Disorders
From birth through adolescence the human brain is busy maturing and developing into one of the most extraordinary phenomenon in the universe. The transition from child to adult depends in part on getting the right kinds of experiences at the right time to ensure optimum development. Since 2010 those experiences have been hijacked by screen devices, apps and social media resulting in increases in a vast array of disorders. This presentation explores the impact of screens on the developing brain and how they may be rewiring the minds of those who have never lived without the internet. It also unpacks what can be done to alleviate the hijacking noted above to ensure young minds get the types of experiences necessary to ensure healthy development and life outcomes.
Fifty Shades of Play
At a time when more and more young people are on screens or being hyper-educated to achieve academic success the importance of play could not be more important. Play, at all ages, is integral to healthy overall development and important for society. We all want children to become socially competent and mentally and physically healty adults who can succeed in all aspects of life and play is the cornerstone for ensuring such outcomes. Relatedly, playing outdoors and spending time in nature adds another layer to children’s overall healthy development. This presentation explores this important topic by looking at how the brain develops and how play shapes the neural hardwiring of a healthy mind.
The Brain, Early Development and Learning
Since the 1990’s advances in technology and scientific research have provided new insights into the neurological development of children. As a result of this work all aspects of education and child care have been reinvigorated with new understandings of how the brain grows and develops, how this might impact on behaviour and learning and ultimately how early experiences may shape who we become as we grow into adulthood. Worryingly, neuroscientific research has also been used to perpetuate a number of neuromyths focusing on enrichment and building ‘better brains’.
This presentation focuses on debunking a number of those myths by looking at contemporary research into how the brain matures and develops, how nurture impacts on nature and the implications of this as we engage with children in various educational contexts.
A session for parents
Blame Their Brain: Why Our Children Do What They Do!
Human development, especially neurological development the adolescent brain Gender differences in learning and behavior 21st century learners
Many parents often wonder why their children act and behave the way they do? They often marvel at the stages of development they witness and simultaneously may be left bewildered by that very journey of growth and maturation.
As a parent and a researcher in neurological development my aim is to unlock some of the mysteries of the development of the mind from birth through adolescence and shed light on why children and teenagers may act the way they do.
The intent is to give parents an avenue for understanding a range of developmental inevitabilities including the importance of just saying ‘no’ to a toddler and the reasons why adolescents seem to have difficulty explaining their actions when doing the ‘wrong’ thing or indeed why they are, at times, seemingly incapable of responsible decision making.
A session for parents
Hello, Is There Anybody in There? Understanding the Developing Brain
Neurological development from early childhood to adolescence Gender differences in learning and behavior Emotional well-being Educating 21st century learners
Since the 1990s there has been more worldwide research in the neurological sciences than at any other time in history.
A great deal of the research that has been done has also been applied to many other fields of study. As a result of all of this work, education has been reinvigorated with new understandings of how the brain grows and develops, the potential differences between the brains of boys and girls and how this might impact on behaviour and learning. Some of the most current research available also suggests that teachers may have to radically rethink how they engage with 21st century minds if they are truly sincere in delivering quality educational experiences and attaining quality educational outcomes.
This presentation looks to uncover some of this information by focusing on contemporary research related to the brain, human development and education.
A session for teachers
A User’s Guide to the Brain: Linking Neuroscience to Educational Practice
Neurological development from early childhood to adolescence Emotional well-being Educating 21st century learners
Working with young people in the 21st century can be both exciting and daunting. In some sense teaching is arguably much like performing neuro-surgery in that any training you received years ago may not only be considered outdated but also a hindrance to performing your duties well.
This session looks at recent neurological findings for developing a greater understanding of learning and engaging students. This is then linked to recognising and understanding how emotions impact on learning and the day-to-day lives of both students and teachers. By investigating some of these important ideas this presentation aims to provide a contemporary look at the developing minds of 21st learners with a view to generating educational approaches and environments that build rather than hinder affective and cognitive capacities.
A session for teachers
Sugar and Spice and All Things Gender Specific: What Are Boys & Girls Brains Made Of?
Neurological development in boys and girls Gender differences in learning and behavior
Many people may not be aware that neuroscientists continue to uncover a range of anatomical, chemical and functional differences between the brains of boys and girls?
What might you do differently if you were armed with an understanding of the neurological differences between boys and girls and how this might impact on behaviour and learning? This presentation looks to uncover some of this information by focusing on contemporary research into how the brain develops, the differences that exist between boys and girls and some of the implications this has for those interested in positively engaging with the children around us while they grow and learn.
A session for parents and teachers
