From Acknowledgement to Optimisation: Student Voices Reimagining Inclusion in Australian Schools.

This thesis investigates Australian secondary school students' understanding and experiences of inclusion within mainstream schools, addressing a significant gap in current research. Utilising mixed methodologies it explores how students understand inclusion, their perceptions of whether their schools are inclusive, and the practices their schools could prioritise for fostering an inclusive environment. The findings reveal students consistently desire a universally applicable and understood concept of inclusion that promotes positive emotional outcomes for all, highlighting the need for schools to cultivate a shared understanding among the student body and school community.