Leon van Schaik studied at the Architectural Association (AA) in London and is Professor of Architecture (Innovation Chair) at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).
From his base in Melbourne, he has promoted local and international architectural culture through practice-based research, publications and exhibitions. At the 75th anniversary awards of the RAIA, he was awarded the inaugural Neville Quarry Prize for Architectural Education.
Writings include monographs on Edmond and Corrigan, Ushida Findlay, Guilford Bell, Tom Kovac, Poetics in Architecture, The Guthrie Pavilion, The Practice of Practice, Sean Godsell and Ecocells. Recent books include 'Mastering Architecture: Becoming a Creative Innovator in Practice' (Wiley-Academy, 2005), and Design City Melbourne, (Wiley Academy 2006).