Dr Goran Lazendic serves as International Survey Director for the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) for the 2025 and 2029 cycles. He is Chief Research Director at the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), specialising in educational measurement and the use of data to support education reforms.
With a strong track record in digital assessment transformation, Goran led the transition of PISA 2025 to online tests, helping modernise one of the most influential international educational surveys. Previously, at the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), he led the research and development of the NAPLAN multistage adaptive testing model to better meet the needs of all students.
Goran holds a PhD in Cognitive Psychology from the University of New South Wales. His work is driven by a strong interest in the science of learning and a commitment to grounding assessment design and data collection in theory and evidence from research and practice.
Through his leadership, he continues to advance the use of empirical evidence to improve educational outcomes and inform policy and practice globally.
Through his leadership, he continues to advance the use of empirical evidence to improve educational outcomes and inform policy and practice globally.