About me
I have worked at Murdoch University for the past 18 years, beginning as an ARC recipient and later serving as the Academic Chair and Director of Early Childhood Education, as well as Associate Professor in early childhood and literacy education. Before my tenure at Murdoch, I taught extensively in early childhood and primary school classrooms across the public and independent sectors, in metropolitan, rural, and international schools. I am a member of the Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), an advanced level of professional standing that evidences expertise in teaching and learning in higher education.
I am a strong advocate for the rights of children and young people, I have been involved in many community projects dedicated to promoting universal access to high-quality play experiences to optimise their wellbeing, holistic development, and learning. I am dedicated to ensuring that the child's voice is heard on all matters affecting them, no matter where they live and who they are; hence, a pedagogy of listening underpins my work.
As Chair of the Early Childhood Australia Western Australian (WA) Play Strategy Committee (2013–2021), I advanced the WA Play Strategy campaign. During this period, the Play Matters Collective was established (under the patronage of the Commissioner for Children and Young People), and the inaugural WA Play Charter was developed. In June 2025, Minister Sabine Winton announced the WA Government’s commitment to lead the development of the nation’s first Play Strategy, which will also be the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. I am currently the Chair of the Play Matters Collective and the Secretary of OMEP Australia (World Organisation of Early Childhood Education and Care).
My public engagements, research, and media publications reflect my broad teaching and research interests, which include early childhood education philosophy, child development, education for sustainable development, and pedagogies of multiliteracies, Zentangle, social justice, and ICT implementation in early childhood, primary and middle school learning environments.
I am driven by curiosity about different ways of being, knowing, and doing. Consequently, I actively present at OMEP international conferences and engage in research partnerships with local, national, and international colleagues. I am also the proud recipient of three OMEP international awards for original projects in Education for Sustainability (EfS) in early childhood education.
I delight in supporting community grassroots research projects and not-for-profit organisations to celebrate the inspirational work they do. In 2023, I introduced SchemaPlay training at Murdoch University for pre-service teachers and community members. The training is open to individuals from all walks of life who are interested in learning about young children’s play schemas and how they support their learning and holistic development.