Leaning In

About Helen, Dr Helen Street is an internationally recognised behavioural scientist, author and expert in school wellbeing and learning engagement. With a background in applied social psychology and more than 25 years' experience working with schools around the world, she is the co-founder of Positive Schools and the founder of Contextual Wellbeing.Helen has been a leading voice in reshaping the way schools think about and support wellbeing. Her work challenges approaches that locate wellbeing primarily within the individual and instead advocates for systemic change; creating the social and learning environments in which people can thrive. Through Contextual Wellbeing, she has helped move the conversation beyond individual wellbeing programs towards a deeper consideration of the cultures, relationships, policies and everyday practices that shape how students and staff experience school.Helen has worked with schools across four continents, including in every Australian state and territory, building long-term partnerships that translate research into meaningful, real-world practice. Her work focuses on creating inclusive and equitable learning environments that support wellbeing, motivation and engagement for both students and staff. She works with educators through keynote presentations, workshops, consultancy and whole-school development.Helen is the author of several books on wellbeing and education. Her fourth book, 'Contextual Wellbeing (2018)', became an international bestseller in education, and her sixth, 'The Positive Schools Big Wellbeing Handbook (2024)', offers educators a practical guide to building contextual wellbeing and learning engagement in classrooms and across whole school communities. 'Leaning In: The Educator's Guide to Loving Stress' is Helen's seventh book.Helen has a longstanding relationship with The University of Western Australia. She worked within the Faculty of Medicine from 1999 to 2011 and has been an Honorary Fellow in the Graduate School of Education since 2010.Today, Helen continues to work with educators, schools, education departments and organisations across Australia and internationally, supporting meaningful, sustainable change in the way wellbeing is understood and developed. She lives in Perth, Western Australia, with Neil, their three daughters and a very cuddly cavoodle.