West Australian member Phil Idle named Chair of the Board for the Association for Learning Environments

Washington, DC – The Association for Learning Environments has named Philip Idle, Chair of its global board of directors. Mr. Idle assumed the role upon the conclusion of the association's annual LearningSCAPES conference held in Chicago over the last week. It is the first time a member of the Australasian Region has taken on this role. 

Philip Idle is a Director of EIW Architects with expertise in the planning and design of educational facilities. Philip's experience on educational projects has heavily involved the consultation phases of the projects and the facilitation of the master planning and brief preparation processes. He has developed an understanding of the requirements inherent in enabling curriculum to drive the design of educational facilities and the responses that are being developed in early learning, primary and middle schooling, senior campuses and post-compulsory sectors. His work encompasses both the private and government sectors in Australia, China and Tanzania.

Mr. Idle has served on the board of directors for the association since 2013 as a representative for the association's Australasian Region and as a member of the executive committee for the past two years.

Mr. Idle currently resides in Perth, Western Australia which will be host of the upcoming Australasia regional conference in May 2019. As Chair, he will guide several critical projects in the upcoming year including a transition in association governance and structure as well as expansion projects for the association in several new areas of the world. Mr. Idle takes the helm of the association as the membership becomes over 5,000 members worldwide.

"The thirst for education across the globe should challenge and inspire us to be the best we can and to build this Association into a truly global movement. People matter wherever they live out their daily lives – they long for learning just like we do – they strive to better themselves – they pursue education to lift themselves out of poverty, gender and racial inequalities. That is the reality out there."

"Moving towards a global mindset is about everyone within our Association, those who engage with our Chapter and Region events, when we speak at different conferences both inside and outside A4LE, when we work with people from other states, countries, languages, religions, race….if ever we need to build on who we are and develop a global mindset it is NOW!"

The Association for Learning Environments is a professional and trade organization whose sole purpose is improving learning environments for students everywhere. With over 5,000 members, the association embraces a collaborative network of global professionals with one single goal – building healthy, safe, resilient, and sustainable 21st Century learning places that inspire transformation in education, enhance student and teacher performance, and support culture and community vitality.

Learning Environments Australasia is an affiliate of the Association for Learning Environments.