Dr Sue Elliott

Adjunct - Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education; School of Education

Sue Elliott

Biography

Dr Sue Elliott Dip KTC, BSc (Hons), MSc, EdD. Sue was originally employed for over 25 years in various early childhood settings including long day care, mobile and sessional preschools as an early childhood educator and at the tertiary level in early childhood training courses at TAFE and university. She co-ordinated early childhood consultancy projects for various organisations including the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Museum Victoria and Melbourne Zoo focussed on the development and facilitation of early years’ programs. In addition, she was a training co-ordinator with Community Child Care Victoria, Early Childhood Education Officer for Sun Smart at the Cancer Council Victoria and a sessional early childhood educator at the Melbourne Aquarium and Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. She moved fully into the university sector as a lecturer in early childhood education at RMIT University 2006-2011, the Australian Catholic University (ACU) 2012-2013 and lastly as a Senior Lecturer and Course Co-ordinator in the School of Education at the University of New England. Her responsibilities have included the supervision of Higher Degree Research students investigating play, outdoor pedagogies and nature play programs in varied contexts and consultative roles with the UNE on-campus early childhood centre and the new Boilerhouse Science Discovery Space under development. Sue has conducted funded research projects both locally and internationally around sustainability and outdoor play. Beyond UNE, Sue is regularly requested to present keynote lectures and workshops or engage in consultancies Australia-wide and internationally by various peak early childhood organisations and government departments. She has committee reponsibilities with various associations locally, nationally and internationally including Co-Convenor of the Transnational Dialogues in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability Research, as well as editorial roles such as Field Report Editor for Children, Youth and Environment. Her work has been recognised with several life memberships.

Qualifications

Dip. KTC, B.Sc. Hons., M.Sc., Ed. D.

Research Interests

Design, play and pedagogy in outdoor learning environments including nature based playspaces and Australian adaptations of forest preschool approaches
Education for sustainability in early childhood settings from systems theory and critical theory perspectives
Action research methodologies with practitioners to facilitate change
Mosaic methodology to engage with children as research participants

Current Projects:

2022 Co-Investigator with Dr Jo Bird and Dr Fran Hughes: Early Childhood Nature Play in NSW: Investigating where, why and how? An investigation of early childhood Immersive Nature Play Programs in NSW.

2019-2022 Learning Through Play, project co-investigator with Dr Jo Bird, UNE, project implemented as action research in a primary school setting K-2 to introduce play based learning in the early years.

Past Projects:

2018-2019 Becoming Leaders in Early Childhood Education and Care in Australia, project co-investigator with Dr Angel Mok, UNE. Funded by HEPPP to support low SES students in UNE early childhood teacher education courses. Extended into a partnership project with CCSA to develop mentoring approaches for new graduates in regional and remote areas.

2016-2018 Lead Investigator: Children’s voices in the rainforest: An investigation of co-constructed conceptual learning with children, project leader with co-investigators Ms Rosanne Pugh from KU Ourimbah Children’s Centre and Ms Ann Pelo, Independent USA Consultant/Author. Funded by KU Children’s Services.

2015-2019 Lead Investigator: Nature playspaces in Environmental Education Centres: Investigating the potential with children, with co-investigators Dr Subhashni Taylor and Dr Nadya Rizk from UNE and Dr Julie Kennelly and Matt McKenzie from Thalgarrah EEC, Armidale, NSW. Funded by UNE.

2015-2016 Co-Investigator: Collaborative study with Dr Kym Simoncini University of Canberra and Assoc. Prof. Victoria Carr University of Cincinnati entitled ‘Community engagement in the redevelopment of a PNG school playground: Participatory research in design, construction, play and learning’ located at Koiari Park Adventist Primary School, Pacific Adventist University in Papua New Guinea. Funded by ANU.

2014-2016 Support Paro College of Education, Royal University of Bhutan to develop a Diploma Programme in Early Childhood Education, co-investigator with Brooks, M., Elliott, S., Forrest, R., Noone, G. & Wolodko, B. UNICEF funding of $197,079.

2014-2015 Project team leader for NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Environmental Trust (OEH ET) funded project with NSW Early Childhood Education for Sustainability entitled ‘Investigating early childhood education and care services environmental education programs’ 2014-2016. OEH ET funding of $85,000.00.

Publications

Books

Elliott, S. & Davis, J. (in press). Becoming mainstream: Re-imagining ECE for Sustainable Futures. Early Childhood Australia

Hughes, F., Elliott, S., Anderson, K. & Chancellor, B. (2021). Early years learning in Australian natural environments. Oxford University Press.

Elliott, S., Arlemalm-Hagser, E. & Davis, J. (Eds.) (2020). Researching early childhood education for sustainability: Challenging assumptions and orthodoxies (Vol. 2). Routledge.

Little, H., Elliott, S. & Wyver, S. (Eds.) (2017). Outdoor learning environments: Spaces for exploration, discovery and risk taking in the early years. Allen & Unwin.

Young, T. & Elliott, S. (2014). Ways of thinking, acting and relating about sustainability. Deakin West, ACT: Early Childhood Australia.

Elliott, S. (2014). Sustainability and the Early Years Learning Framework. Mt Victoria, NSW: Pademelon

Davis, J. & Elliott, S. (Eds.) (2014). Research in early childhood education for sustainability: International perspectives and provocations. London: Routledge.

Elliott, S., Edwards, S., Davis, J. & Cutter-McKenzie, A. (Eds.) (2013). Best of sustainability: Research, theory and practice. Deakin West, ACT: Early Childhood Australia.

Elliott, S. (Ed.) (2008). The outdoor playspace: Naturally. Sydney: Pademelon Press.

Davis, J. & Elliott, S. (2004). Early childhood environmental education: Making it mainstream.Canberra: Early Childhood Australia.

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (2003). Early childhood resource book. Melbourne: Royal Botanic Gardens.

Elliott, S. & Young, T. (2003). Just discover: Connecting children and the natural world. Croydon, Victoria: Tertiary Press.

Elliott, S. & Emmett, S. (1997). Snails live in houses too: Environmental education for the early years (2nd ed.), Melbourne, RMIT Publishing.

Book chapters

Elliott, S. & Pugh, R. (2020). Children's voices about fish and tadpoles in an Australian pond ecosystem: It's all about balancing and belonging. In S. Elliott, E. Arlemalm-Hagser, & J. Davis (Eds.) Researching early childhood education for sustainability: Challenging assumptions and orthodoxies (Vol. 2). (pp. 205-219). Routledge.

Elliott, S. & Davis, J. (2018). Challenging taken-for-granted ideas in early childhood education: A critique of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory in the age of post-humanism (online). In A. Cutter-Mackenzie et al. (eds.), Research Handbook on Childhoodnature, London: Springer International Handbooks of Education. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51949-4_60-2

Arlemalm-Hagser, E. & Elliott, S. (2018). Transcultural explorations in nature-based early childhood education (pp. 89-103). In P. Becker, B. Humberstone, C. Loynes & J. Schirp (Eds.) The Changing World of the Outdoor Learning in Europe. London: Routledge.

Elliott, S. & Davis, J. (2018). Moving Forward from the Margins: Education for Sustainability in Australian Early Childhood Contexts (pp. 163-178). In G. Reis & J. Scott (Eds.) International Perspectives on the Theory and Practice of Environmental Education: A Reader. New York: Springer Nature.

Elliott, S. (2017). An Australian perspective: Seeking sustainability in early childhood outdoor playspaces. In T. Waller (Ed.) Sage international handbook of outdoor play and learning (pp.295-316). London: Sage.

Elliott, S. & Chancellor, B. (2017). Beyond the fence: Exploring forest preschool/school approaches in Australia. (pp.243-261). In In H. Little, S. Elliott & S. Wyver, (Eds.) Outdoor learning environments: Spaces for exploration, discovery and risk taking in the early years. Sydney: Allen & Unwin

Jeavons, M., Jameson, S. & Elliott, S. (2017). Application of standards and regulations to early year’s outdoor playspaces (pp.120-141). In H. Little, S. Elliott & S. Wyver, (Eds.) Outdoor learning environments: Spaces for exploration, discovery and risk taking in the early years. Sydney: Allen & Unwin

Little, H., Elliott, S. & Wyver, S. (2017) Why do outdoor play and learning matter (pp.1-16). In In H. Little, S. Elliott & S. Wyver, (Eds.) Outdoor learning environments: Spaces for exploration, discovery and risk taking in the early years. Sydney: Allen & Unwin

Elliott, S., Simoncini, K., Carr, V., Simeon, L. & Manson, E. (2017). Creating a school playground in PNG: A participatory approach with young children (pp.182-199). In H. Little, S. Elliott & S. Wyver, (Eds.) Outdoor learning environments: Spaces for exploration, discovery and risk taking in the early years. Sydney: Allen & Unwin

Elliott, S., Carr, V., Ärlemalm-Hagsér, E., & Park, E. (2017). Examining curriculum policy and pedagogy across borders: Re-imagining socially transformative learning in early childhood education (pp. 205-216). In P. B. Corcoran, J. Weakland & A. E. J. Wals (Eds.), Envisioning futures for environmental and sustainability education. Wageningen, The Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers.

Quinn, F., Elliott, S., Taylor, N. & Littledyke, M. (in press) (2nd Ed.) Education for Sustainability in primary science education. In Taylor, N., Quinn, F. & Eames, C. (Eds.) Education for sustainability in the primary school curriculum. Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Sense

Kennelly, J. & Elliott, S. (in press) (2nd Ed.) Sustainable gardening across the curriculum: Making it happen. In Taylor, N., Quinn, F. & Eames, C. (Eds.) Education for sustainability in the primary school curriculum. Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Sense

Elliott, S. (2015). Children and the natural world. In J. Davis (Ed.) Sustainability and young children (2nd ed.)(pp. 32-54). Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.

Davis, J. & Elliott, S. (2014). An orientation to early childhood education for sustainability and research-framing the text. In J. Davis & S. Elliott (Eds.) Research in early childhood education for sustainability: International perspectives and provocations. (pp.1-17). London: Routledge.

Elliott, S. (2014). Early childhood education for sustainability and natural outdoor playspaces: Researching change and theorizing about interfaces. In J. Davis & S. Elliott (Eds.) Research in early childhood education for sustainability: International perspectives and provocations. (pp. 127-142). London: Routledge.

Elliott, S. (2013). Play in nature: Bush Kinder in Australia. In S. Knight (ed.), International perspectives on forest school: Natural spaces to play and learn, London: Sage.

Elliott, S. (2010). Children and the natural world. In J. Davis (Ed.) Sustainability and young children. Melbourne: Cambridge.

Elliott, S. & Young, T. (2005). Environmental education. In E. Dau (Ed.) Taking the early childhood curriculum outdoors. Croydon, Victoria: Tertiary Press.

Elliott, S. (2004). Environmental education and improvisation. In S. Crook (Ed.) Just Improvise. Croydon, Victoria: Tertiary Press.

Elliott, S. & Young, T. (2003). Just Investigate: Creative Science and Technology Experiences for Young Children. Croydon, Victoria: Tertiary Press.

Elliott, S. & Young, T. (2003). Just discover: Connecting children and the natural world. Croydon, Victoria: Tertiary Press.

Journal Articles

Dean, S. & Elliott, S. (2022). Urgency, equity, and agency: An assemblage of global concerns and interests in education for sustainability. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education.

Ärlemalm-Hagsér, E & Elliott, S. (2021). Outdoor Play and Learning in Early Childhood Education. In A. Hynds (Ed.), Oxford Bibliographies in Education. Oxford University Press.

Carr, V., Elliott, S. & Ärlemalm-Hagsér, E. (2021). Editorial Special Issue: International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education - Sustainable Development Goals and Early Childhood Environmental Education: Awareness, Understanding, and Transformation, 9(1), 5-8. https://naturalstart.org/research/ijecee/volume-9-number-1

Konerman, R., Elliott, S., Pugh, R., Luthy, T. & Carr, V. (2021). Children's agency and action in nature preschool: A tale of two programs. Children, Youth & Environments, 31(2), 139-150.

Inoue, M., Elliott, S., Mitsuhashi, M., & Kido, H. (2019). Nature-based early childhood activities as environmental education? A review of Japanese and Australian perspectives. Japanese Journal of Environmental Education, 28(4), 21-28.

Elliott, S. & Arlemalm-Hagser, E. (2018). Editorial Special Issue: Contemporary Research on Early Childhood Education for Sustainability, International Journal of Early Childhood, 49 (3), 1-6. 10.1007/s13158-017-0207-3

Elliott, S., Taylor, S., Rizk, N., Kennelly, J., & McKenzie, M. (2018). When are we going again? Investigating a new nature playspace at an Environmental Education Centre. Special Issue Curriculum Perspectives. 38(2), 157-162.

Simoncini, K., Elliott, S., Carr, V., Manson, E., Simeon, L. & Sawi, J. (2018). Children’s right to play in Papua New Guinea: Insights from children in years 3–8, International Journal of Play, 7(1), 146-160. https://doi.org/10.1080/21594937.2018.1495993

Simoncini, K., Carr, V., Elliott, S., Manson, E., Simeon, L. & Sawi, J. (2016). Playground Development in Papua New Guinea: Creating New Play, Learning and Research Environments. Children, Youth and Environments, 26(1), pp. 179-194

Elliott, S. (2016). Editorial Note: Provocations for the “next big thing” in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 4(1), 3-8.

Elliott, S. & Mc Crea, N. (2015). Gaps and challenges informing professional learning about early childhood education for sustainability. The Social Educator. 33(3), 17-28.

Simoncini, K., Carr, V., Elliott, S., Manson, E., Simeon, L. & Sawi, J. (2015). Photo essay: New play opportunities in a Papua New Guinean School. Journal of Playwork Practice, 2 (2), 211-213.

Elliott, S. & Young, T. (in press). Nature by default in early childhood environmental education? Australian Journal of Environmental Education.

Elliott, S. & Chancellor, B. (2014). From Forest Preschool to Bush Kinder: An inspirational approach to preschool provision in Australia. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood. 39 (4), 45-53.

Elliott, S. & Davis, J. (2009). Exploring the resistance: An Australian perspective on educating for sustainability in early childhood. International Journal of Early Childhood. 41, (2), 65-77.

Practitioner articles

Pugh, R., & Elliott, S. (2019). Children’s voices in the rainforest: An investigation of co-constructed conceptual learning with children. Every Child, 5(4), 16-17.

Davis, J. & Elliott, S. (2019). Aligning Bronfenbrenner with UNESCO’s dimensions of sustainability: Responding to 21st century contexts in ECE. Every Child, 25 (1), 24-25.

O’Brien, K., Tickle, T., Thompson, A. & Elliott, S. (2019). Quirindi Preschool leading community change: Rethinking, reducing, re-using and recycling. Every Child, 24(4), 30-31.

Best, L., Motley, S., & Elliott, S. (2018). Shifting the car park conversations: Creating outdoor spaces both for and with families. Every Child, 24(2), 26-27.

Elliott, S., Taylor, S., Rizk, N., Kennelly, J, & McKenzie, M. (2017). Investigating the potential of nature play with children. Linking research to practice in Education, 1(2) pp. 5-6.

Elliott, S (2016). Nature is just not enough. Belonging Early Years Journal, 2, 8-9.

Thompson, A., Frith, C. & Elliott, S. (2015). A walk on the wild side, Every Child, 21(4), 26-27.

Elliott, S. (2015). Food for thought, Everychild.

Elliott, S. (2014). How high was Humpy Dumpty? Everychild, 20(4), 6-7.

Elliott, S. (2014). Sustainability as the norm in times of global transition. Everychild, 20(1), 10-11.

Young, T. & Elliott, S. (2013). Provocations for outdoor learning environments. PLP e-Newsletter No.59.  Deakin West, ACT: Early Childhood Australia.

Young, T. & Elliott, S. (2013). Provisions for outdoor learning environments. PLP e-Newsletter No.60. Deakin West, ACT: Early Childhood Australia.

Elliott, S. (2013). Exploring sustainability. CCCNSW, Rattler, 115, 22-24.

Elliott, S. & Chancellor, B. (2013). Bush kinder journey: Westgarth Bush Kinder pilot program. Everychild, 19(2), 14-15.

Elliott, S. (2011). Going green in early childhood. FDC Australia Jigsaw, 59, 15-16.

Elliott, S. (2010). Natural playspaces. Community Child Care Victoria, HBC. Term 1, 11-14.

Elliott, S. (2010). Essential not optional: Education for sustainability in early childhood centres. Childcare Information Exchange. March/April 32 (2), 34-37.

Elliott, S. (2008). Risk and challenge: Essential elements to outdoor playspaces. Everychild, 14(2), 12-13.

Elliott, S. (2007). Action across Australia, working towards a sustainable future. Everychild,  13(1).

Elliott, S. & Smith, A. (2005). Bugs Bugs Bugs! Resource Kit for Melbourne Museum Early Learning Program. Carlton, Victoria: Melbourne Museum.

Elliott, S. & Davis, J. (2004). Mud pies and daisy chains: Connecting young children and nature. Everychild, 10(4), 4–5.

The Cancer Council Australia (2003). Be SunSmart Play SunSmart. Carlton, Victoria: The Cancer Council Victoria.

Project Reports

Elliott, S., Pugh, R., & Pelo, A. (2018). Children’s voices in the rainforest: An investigation of co-constructed conceptual learning with children. Research report for KU Children’s Services: Sydney.

Elliott, S., Mc Crea, N., Newsome, L. & Gaul, J. (2016). Examining environmental education in NSW early childhood education services: A literature review with findings from the field. Sydney: NSW OEH Environmental Trust. The NSW OEH Environmental Trust public document now available online at  http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/dissemination.htm

Elliott, S., McCrea, N., Newsome, L. & Gaul, J. (2014 unpublished).Project Investigating early childhood education and care services environmental education programs: Final Report. Sydney: NSW OEH ET & NSW ECEEN.

Elliott, S., McCrea, N., Newsome, L. & Gaul, J. (2014 unpublished).Project Investigating early childhood education and care services environmental education programs: Portfolio of activities. Sydney: NSW OEH ET & NSW ECEEN.

Elliott, S. & Chancellor, B. (2012). Bush kinder: An evaluative study. Westgarth, Victoria: Commissioned and published by Westgarth Kindergarten Bush Kinder Sub-committee.

Smith, K., Wheeler, L. Guevara, J. R., Gough, A. & Fein, J. (2012). Conversations on school-community learning partnerships for sustainability: A guidebook. Bundoora, Victoria: RMIT University. (ARC funded study, author/contributor)

Wilks, A., Nyland, B., Chancellor, B. & Elliott, S. (2008). Analysis of curriculum/learning frameworks for the early years: Literature review (birth to 8).  East Melbourne, Victoria: Commissioned by the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority.

Brown, A. & Elliott, S. (2004). Review of sun protection policies and practices in Victorian SunSmart accredited early childhood centres. Carlton, Victoria: The Cancer Council Victoria.

NSW EPA (2003). Patches of green early childhood environmental education in Australia: Scope, status and direction. Sydney: NSW EPA. (Principal author)

Media

Elliott, S. (2019, May 1). Education for sustainability. The Spoke online, Early Childhood Australia. http://thespoke.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/education-for-sustainability/

Elliott, S. (2019, April 26). https://earlychildhoodoutdoorlearning.weebly.com/keynotes-2019-conference.html

Elliott, S. (2019, April 23). Spend a minute on education for sustainability with guest author Dr Sue Elliott. Online mailout. Early Childhood Australia. http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Learning-Hub%E2%80%94Spend-a-minute-1917.html

Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre (March, 2019). Thalgarrah Nature Play (Video Interview). Thalgarrah: Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre. https://youtu.be/_KasIlF39tM

Elliott, S. (2018, August 8). Climate Matters: Youngsters and sustainability. Armidale Express Extra, p.8.

Elliott, S. (2018, March 8). Understanding nature play in the context of bush kinder and the early years of primary school: What’s it all about?  (Recorded lecture). Monash and Boroondara Councils. https://youtu.be/r8mnYhosBuE

Elliott, S. (2017, Dec 6,). Does Christmas go better with glitter, not if you value the rainbow fish! The Spoke online, Early Childhood Australia. http://thespoke.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/christmas-go-better-glitter-not-value-rainbow-fish/

Elliott, S. (2018). Early childhood education for sustainability: Now or never, a time for urgent change. Early Childhood Australia (Webinar). https://learninghub.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/elearning/early-childhood-education-sustainability-now-never-time-urgent-change/

Theses

Elliott, S. (2012). Sustainable outdoor playspaces in early childhood settings: Investigating perceptions, facilitating change and generating theory. Unpublished doctoral thesis, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales.

Elliott, S. (1983). Interactions of transposonsTN504STR and TN80AMP with DNA molecules in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa PAO. Unpublished master’s thesis, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria.

Awards

The Early Childhood Australia Doctoral Thesis Award, awarded September 2014.

Editorial roles

Consulting editor for the International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education launched October 2012 by the North American Association for Environmental Education.

Selected Presentations

Play Australia, Online webinar, November 2022, Is sustainability just about being outdoors?  Possibilities for early years and school outdoor play spaces.

Natural Start Alliance, Cincinnati July 2022, Plenary entitled Is DAP Moving Us Toward Global Sustainability?

Early Years Nature Connections Conference, Sydney, March 2022, Workshop entitled Pedagogy and theory: Unpacking the links in nature play settings

Little Scientists, November 2021, Panel Online Interview on early childhood and sustainability.

Australian Journal of Early Childhood Symposium, Sydney, February 2020, Paper entitled Competent and skilful teachers as players: K-2 play for learning.

European Early Childhood Education Research Association, Thessaloniki, August 2019, Symposium entitled Re-examining paradigms, theories and methodologies in early childhood education for sustainable futures

American Education Research Association, New York, April 2018, Paper entitled New Possibilities: Critiquing and Recontextualising Bronfenbrenner’s Model of Human Development in the Anthropocene

Gowrie Regional Conference, March 2015, Tamworth. Keynote address entitled ‘The Critical Decade: Thinking, Acting and Relating for Sustainable Early Childhood Communities’.

North American Association for Environmental Education Conference, October 2014, Ottawa, Canada. Papers entitled ‘Transformative journeys: Creating sustainable early childhood communities’ and ‘Australian Bush Kinder: Connecting children, families and educators with nature’.

OMEP Conference, July 2013, Shanghai, China. International Symposium entitled ‘Early childhood education for sustainability in the Asia-Pacific: A cornerstone of quality’.

Early Childhood Australia Conference, October 2012, Perth, Australia. Invited lecture ‘Mapping transformative journeys in education for sustainability: Insights from early childhood case studies’ and paper presented ‘A Bush Kinder Journey’.

World Environmental Education Congress, July 2011, Brisbane, Australia. Paper entitled ‘Nested triangles: A theoretical framework for creating transformative journeys in early childhood education for sustainability’.

OMEP Conference 2010, Gothenberg University, Gothenberg Sweden, August 10-13. Papers entitled ‘Theorising the interface: Natural playspaces and sustainability’ and ‘Baby steps for a greener future: a partnership for sustainability’.

Australasian Narrative Inquiry Conference, July 2009, Armidale, Australia. Paper entitled ‘Tracks of transformation: Narrating a centre’s journey’.

European Early Childhood Education Research Association, September 2008, Stavanger, Norway. International Symposium entitled ‘Shifting the paradigm from nature study to education for sustainability: Research perspectives from down under’.

International Play Association Conference 2008, Hong Kong University, Hong Kong, January 8-11. Paper entitled ‘Natural Playspaces: Contexts for education for sustainability in Australian early childhood centres’.

North American Association for Environmental Education Conference 2007, Virginia Beach Convention Centre, Virginia, USA. Paper entitled ‘Early childhood: A new horizon in education for sustainability in Australia’.Australasian Early Years Education for Sustainability Inaugural Conference 2006, Christchurch College of Education Christchurch, New Zealand. Keynote address entitled ‘Pathways to a Sustainable Future’.

Australasian Early Years Education for Sustainability Inaugural Conference 2006, Christchurch College of Education Christchurch, New Zealand. Keynote address entitled ‘Pathways to a Sustainable Future’.

Memberships

Australian Association for Environmental Education, Early Childhood Special Interest Group, Convenor 2003-15
Australian Association for Environmental Education National Executive 2018-2022
European Early Childhood Education Research Association, Sustainability SIG, Founding co-convenor 2019-2022
Early Childhood Australia (ECA), Member 2001-14
Environmental Education in Early Childhood Vic Inc, Founding Convenor 1992-2000, Awarded Life Membership 2000.
New South Wales Early Childhood Environmental Education Network (NSW ECEEN), Awarded Life Membership 2012.
New South Wales Nature Play Steering Group, 2021-2022.
New South Wales Play Australia Branch Committee, 2021-2022.
Transnational Dialogues in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability Research, Co-convenor 2017-2022
Play Australia, Board member 2002-2012 and Member, 2002-15.

Consultancy Interests

2022: Hay Children’s Services Staff Professional learning around sustainability and nature play program establishment.

2021: Paynesville Kindergarten Outdoor Playspace redevelopment, Staff Professional learning and nature play program establishment.

2020: Yarram Children’s Centre, Staff Professional learning and nature play program establishment.

2019: Ringpung Early Childhood Centre, College of Education Royal University of Bhutan, Paro. Consultant to the development of the centre outdoor playspace and a UNICEF funded pilot of forest preschool approaches in Bhutan in collaboration with Karma Chimi-Wungchuck, Director of Ringpung.

2014: Project team leader for NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Environmental Trust (OEH ET) funded project with NSW Early Childhood Education for Sustainability entitled ‘Investigating early childhood education and care services environmental education programs’.

2012-2014: Project Reference Group member for Seedlings, a 3-year early childhood services sustainability project across five Victorian councils

2013-2014: External consultant for the Queensland University of Technology and Lone Pine Sanctuary, Brisbane, multi-disciplinary and sustainable approach to a childcare centre development 2013-2014.Previous consultancies with the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Melbourne Aquarium, Museum Victoria and Zoos Victoria to provide educator training, outdoor design advice and early childhood program development.

2000-2013: Previous consultancies with the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Melbourne Aquarium, Museum Victoria and Zoos Victoria to provide educator training, outdoor design advice and early childhood program development.

External Profiles