Rate My Professor Scott Sleap

Dr. Scott Sleap serves as Honorary Professor in the School of Computer and Information Sciences within the College of Engineering, Science and Environment at the University of Newcastle. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Engineering from the University of Newcastle in 2015 and a Bachelor of Education in Design and Technology (Honours) in 1995 from the same university. Previously a Conjoint Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle, Sleap has built a distinguished career in STEM education and workforce development. He leads the STEM Industry School Partnerships (SISP) program for the New South Wales Department of Education, which received the NSW Secretary’s Award for Excellence in 2019 and was recognized as world’s best practice by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). From 2015 to 2017, he directed a $5.2 million STEM school and industry skilling initiative and developed the iSTEM course, resulting in a 20 percent increase in STEM subject enrollments in the Hunter region amid statewide declines. Sleap has also served as STEM Project Advisor for Years 7-12 in the NSW Department of Education, contributed to the Advisory Committee for the NSW Government Space Industry Development Strategy, and was part of the organizing committee for the 43rd COSPAR Scientific Congress.

Sleap's early research centered on georemediation and wastewater treatment, with key outputs including his PhD thesis 'Georemediation of a Spent Potliner Leachate' (2015), 'Kinetics of fluoride removal from spent pot liner leachate (SPLL) contaminated groundwater' (2015), 'Kinetic model selection and the Hill model in geochemistry' (2015), and several papers on fluoride removal by calcite under varying pCO2 conditions (2011-2013). His recent publications address STEM engagement, such as 'Expanding STEM Engagement Through Space Research: The AVA Challenge' (2025) and 'RoboCup Junior in the Hunter Region: Driving the Future of Robotic STEM Education' (2016-2019). His impact is evidenced by awards including the University of Newcastle Alumni National Leadership Award (2021), Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching (2018), National Commonwealth Bank Teaching Award (2020), Finalist for Australian Education Awards Teacher of the Year (2019), national patron of the Australian Design and Technology Teachers Association, and NSW Cyber Security Network Ambassador (2019).