Claire McLachlan is the Pro Vice Chancellor, Education at the University of Waikato. She was previously the Executive Dean, Institute of Education, Arts and Community at Federation University in Victoria, Australia. Claire has published 10 books, has over 200 research outputs, and has received over $7 million in research, consultancy and curriculum development funding. She has also supervised over 60 HDR students, including 11 doctoral completions to date. Her primary field of research is early childhood education, and her platform of research focusses on literacy, physical activity, curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and evaluation. In addition, Claire has undertaken research and evaluation for the Department of Education in Victoria and for three government Ministries in New Zealand: Education, Health, and Social Development; as well as for government agencies such as the Alcohol Advisory Council and Sport New Zealand. Internationally, she has provided consultancy for the Semarang State University (UNNES) in Central Java, Indonesia and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs for education in Tokelau.

The overarching research aims of Claire's research portfolio include the following:

(i) to strengthen teachers' domain (subject content) knowledge through collaborative professional learning and enhance pedagogies and practice.

(ii) promote learning outcomes for young children in low socio-economic communities.