About the Education Hub

Since 2017, The Education Hub has the sole mission of bridging the gap between research and classroom practice in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We are committed to empowering educators with evidence-informed tools, insights, and strategies that make a genuine difference in teaching and learning.

Over time, The Education Hub has earned the trust of teachers — especially in the early childhood and primary sectors — by curating high-quality resources and fostering professional growth and support through webinars, workshops, and digital content.

What we offer

Curated resources

Practical, research-informed tools and strategies tailored for early childhood and primary educators.

Models from practice

Real-world examples that show effective practice in action, helping to build teacher confidence and capability.

Professional learning

Accessible webinars, online programmes, and digital content designed to connect educators and strengthen everyday practice.

Research translation

Clear, actionable insights drawn from high-impact research in areas of greatest need — including literacy, self-regulation, and neurodiversity.

Evidence-informed practice

Grounded in research, translating knowledge into practical strategies for teachers.

Focus on the early years

Concentrating on the early years, where we can make the greatest difference for children’s futures.

Collaboration

Working alongside educators, researchers, and partners to build collective capability.

Innovation

Harnessing digital platforms and scalable delivery to reach more teachers with high-quality content.

Impact

Prioritising meaningful, measurable improvements in teaching and learning.

Meet the Team

Angela Aldous

Chief Executive Officer

Angela began her career in the health sector as a Physiotherapist and worked in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. She has held leadership positions in corporate and not-for-profit organisations in the health and education sectors and is passionate about organisations with purpose and societal impact. She brings her broad capabilities and experience in leadership, operations, and innovation to guide The Education Hub’s mission in bridging the gap between research and practice. Angela drives the strategic direction and operations of The Education Hub. In her spare time, Angela mentors young professional and university women, enjoys the outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and a glass of wine.

Sarah Mayo

Education Officer

Sarah oversees the creation of research reviews and online courses for The Education Hub. This involves working with researchers from New Zealand and around the world to collate research reviews, and also engaging with teachers in ECE centres and schools around the country to develop case studies of research use in practice. Sarah has a PhD in English from the University of Canterbury. Her doctorate explored how Shakespeare on film could support the teaching of his plays in secondary schools in ways that are responsive to the curriculum and also bring theoretical and socio-cultural perspectives to the study of Shakespeare.

Dr Vicki Hargraves

Early Childhood Education Expert

Vicki is our resident early childhood education (ECE) expert, a role which sees her facilitating our ECE webinar series, developing many of our online courses, and writing a number of our research reviews. Vicki is a teacher, mother, writer, and researcher living in Cairns, Australia. Her PhD used philosophy to explore creative approaches to understanding early childhood education. She is inspired by the wealth of educational research that is available and is passionate about making this available and useful for teachers.

Madeleine Matanawa

Learning Designer

Madeleine works as a Learning Designer at The Education Hub. She has a real interest in how people learn and in how online platforms can be used to best effect. This was formed over many years teaching adult learners, predominantly tertiary students, improving their English language. Before that she studied English literature and creative writing in the UK; reading books and occasionally writing them remain her favourite activities.

Caroline Culloty

Office Manager

Caroline supports the team as office manager and provides assistance to our education community. Her background aligns strongly with our organization’s mission to bridge the gap between research and practice. Caroline trained as an Occupational Therapist and graduated from the University of New South Wales with a Master of Clinical Education. With a foot in both camps of education and health she understands the challenges of translating evidence from research into the practice for professionals. In her spare time you will find Caroline working on a sewing project or spending time with her family and friends.

Our Founder

Dr Nina Hood (MNZM)

Founder

Nina founded The Education Hub in 2017 to connect research with practice in education. A trained secondary school teacher, she taught in Auckland before completing an MSc (with distinction) in Learning and Technology and a DPhil in Education at the University of Oxford. From 2015 to 2023, she was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland. Although Nina is no longer involved in the day-today operations, she continues to support The Education Hub through strategic guidance and special research projects.

Our Trustees

Paula Gillon

Chair

Paula brings over a decade of board-level leadership in local government and education. A former secondary English teacher, she has served as Presiding Member of a primary school board, President of a Licensing Trust, and Chair of a kindergarten parent-whānau group. Paula holds an MPhil in Public Policy (First Class Honours) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching. She is passionate about bridging the gap between research and practice in education and brings a strong governance lens to The Education Hub’s mission.

Maury Leyland

Maury has a long held passion for working with organisations that can bring change that benefits New Zealand. She is co-founder of Leaft Foods, an innovative ingredient company that produces high-quality plant-based protein products. Maury has previously been a director of Genesis Energy, Spark New Zealand and Transpower New Zealand and was on the Lincoln University Transformation Board. Maury was a senior executive at Fonterra from 2005, most recently stepping down as managing director people, culture and strategy in 2016.

Professor Graeme Aitken

Graeme has a long history in education, firstly as a geography teacher and then in Secondary Teacher Education, as the Director of The University of Auckland Principals Centre, and most recently as the Dean of the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland. Graeme co-developed the Teaching as Inquiry model that underpins the pedagogical approach of the New Zealand Curriculum and is the co-author of the Best Evidence Synthesis for Social Sciences.

Andrew Grant

Andrew is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, where he leads the Global Public Sector Practice and serves on McKinsey’s Global Board. He is deeply committed to education and has contributed to several initiatives in New Zealand, including the founding of the Springboard Trust and the Onehunga Business School. Andrew brings strategic insight and global perspective to The Education Hub’s work, with a focus on impact and innovation.

Andrew Poole

Andrew is the Chief Executive of law firm MinterEllisonRuddWatts and a passionate advocate for education and conservation. He is the Executive Chair of the Rotoroa Island Trust and serves on NEXT Foundation’s Education Waka Kaihautu. Andrew sees both education and environmental stewardship as key opportunities for transformational change in Aotearoa. His governance work reflects a deep commitment to collaborative leadership.