Nola Norris

DipTeach, BEd, MEd, PhD

Nola is Education Research Coordinator in the Faculty of Education at Morling, where she lectures in the Master of Education program. Her interests include learning and teaching, cognition and metacognition, teacher professional development, giftedness, twice exceptionality, and autism/Asperger's syndrome.

After a varied career working in K-12 schools and at university, Nola completed her PhD in 2014. Her thesis title is ‘A new perspective on thinking, memory and learning in gifted adults with Asperger syndrome: Five phenomenological case studies’. Her research utilised neuroscience and autism research to interpret findings from in-depth interviews with gifted adults with Asperger syndrome. Nola’s research led to the development of a conceptual framework for professional development of pre-service and practising teachers to transform understanding of the unique learning needs and strengths of gifted students who have Asperger syndrome.

Prior to working full-time on her doctoral research, Nola was ICT Integration Coordinator at a K-12 independent co-educational school on the outskirts of Sydney, where her role was to work in professional development of teachers across the curriculum in the sound, innovative use of information technologies in the classroom.

Recent Publications

Norris, N. G. (2023). How does my student learn? Neurodiversity and the nature of learning in autism. International Journal of Christianity & Education, 27(1), 65-87. https://doi.org/10.1177/20569971221084350 

Norris, N. G. (2021a, 23 October). Neurodiversity and the nature of learning: Memory and the autism spectrum [Video recording]. 2021 Conference: Research Conversations, St Andrews Cathedral School, Sydney, Online. https://youtu.be/U5_wDbRDfTI?list=PL5q_Zb7lgyavkT8-W_VI5Fyu-QSzIkbcy 

Norris, N. G. (2021b, 8 March). Neurodiversity’s visionary opportunities Research Seminar, Morling College. 

Norris, N. G., & Shaw, P. (2021). How do you understand learning? [Blog]. Morling College.

Norris, N. G. (2020a, 13 February 2021). Joining the dots in Asperger syndrome Asperger Syndrome Partner Information Australia (ASPIA), Online, Sydney, NSW. 

 Norris, N. G. (2020b, 13 November). Learning and memory in students with and without autism: A framework for applying neuroscience research to your educational practice Christian Special Schools Gathering, Pacific Hills Christian School.

Norris, N. G. (2020c, 8 February). Sense of self and time in Asperger syndrome Asperger Syndrome Partner Information Australia (ASPIA), Burwood, Sydney, NSW. 

Norris, N. G. (2018a). A new perspective on neurodiversity: Characteristics of people with and without autism within a framework of thinking, memory and learning. In A. Gibson & C. Chihota (Eds.), International Conference for Christian Educators (ebook ed., pp. 67-89). Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (BTI) in association with The International Association for the Promotion of Christian Higher Education.

Norris, N. G. (2018b, 10 August). Personal identity and Asperger syndrome. Christian Identity in the Public Arena Conference, Excelsia College, Macquarie Park, NSW. Norris, N. G. (2019, 23 October). Memory, identity and high-functioning autism Christian Special Schools Gathering, Pacific Hills Christian School.

Norris, N. G. (2017a, 18-20 September). Cognitive characteristic of learners with high-functioning autism: Translating neuroscience research for teacher professional learning. Science of Learning Conference, Brisbane.

Norris, N. G. (2017b, 19 August). Learner characteristics and cognitive profile of students with autism (ASD): A framework of thinking, memory and learning ACHEA Conference, Alphacrucis College, Parramatta, NSW. Norris, N. G.

Norris, N. G. (2014a, 31 July 2014). The cognitive profile of gifted learners with ASD: Pedagogical implications Autism in Education, Sydney Technology Park.

Norris, N. G. (2014b). A new perspective on thinking, memory and learning in gifted adults with Asperger syndrome: Five phenomenological case studies [PhD Thesis, University of Wollongong]. Wollongong, NSW. https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/4242