Dr Somayeh Ba Akhlagh

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

Somayeh Ba Akhlagh

Phone: +61 02 6773 5253

Email: sbaakhla@une.edu.au

Twitter: @sbaakhlagh

Biography

Somayeh is a member of the Early Childhood Education team within the School of Education. Before Somayeh joined UNE in 2020, she taught early childhood courses, and educational psychology in various universities in Australia and overseas. Somayeh has also worked in early childhood settings as an educator in both Sydney and Iran.

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle

Master of Teaching, University of Sydney

Master of Psychology and Education of Children with Special Needs, University of Tehran, Iran

Bachelor of Psychology and Education of Children With Special Needs, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Newcastle TAFE

Diploma of Children’s Services, Randwick TAFE, Sydney

Certificate III in Children’s Services, Randwick TAFE, Sydney

Awards

Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE). (30th Nov 2022). Early Career researcher (ECR) paper presentation. https://www.aare.edu.au/news/2022-conference-awards-recipients/

University of New England - School Citation for Education Excellence (2022)

University of New England (2021). Achieving an outstanding result in overall student satisfaction in Reporting Period Trimester 1 2021 of the unit monitoring process.

Aunt Fry Gift; being a passionate teacher of diverse groups of children (SDN Children Services, 2012)

Marion Macaulay Bequest Master of Teaching, Outstanding achievement in Postgraduate early childhood academic work (University of Sydney, 2011)

Australian College of Educators; outstanding achievement in professional experience practicums (University of Sydney, 2012)

Teaching Areas

Early Childhood Education (History, Theory, Practice and Policy)
Educational Psychology
Inclusive Education
Curriculum and Pedagogy

Research Interests

The History of Early Childhood Education
Comparative Education
Teacher Education
Inclusive Education
Educational Psychology

Grants

2023 Connect: High-Quality Research in Education Leadership Scholarship

2022 Australian National University. Freilich Project ECR Grants Scheme. https://freilich.anu.edu.au/

2022 Michelle Bannister-Tyrrell Research Scholarship

Research Supervision Experience

Dr Ba Akhlagh is interested in receiving inquiries from potential research students seeking supervision in the general areas of early childhood education, and cross-cultural studies.

Presently, Dr Ba Akhlagh is involved in co-supervising both master’s and PhD research students.

Publications

Ba Akhlagh, S., & Leggett, N. (2024). A comparative analysis of creativity: Australian and Iranian early childhood national policy frameworks. International journal of early years education, 32(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669760.2023.2298338

Ba Akhlagh, S and Mehana, M. (2023). Challenges and opportunities in designing culturally appropriate resources to support refugee families. Linking research to the practice of education, 8(1), 2-3. https://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/508198/SOE-Newsletter-Volume-8-No-1.pdf

Ba Akhlagh, S., & Allehyani, H. S. (2023). Saudi Early Childhood Female Teachers’ Perceptions of Children’s Gender Stereotypes When Implementing STEM. In W. Yang, S. Kewalramani, & J. Senthil (Eds.), Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Education in the Early Years; Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Routledge.

Ba Akhlagh, S. (2022). Promoting diversity in early childhood education. Kindergarten research insight, QCAA. https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/kindergarten/research-insights/cultural-diversity

Ba Akhlagh, S. & Rogers, M. (2022). Leaving no one behind: Inclusive education practices. Linking Research to the Practice of Education. 6 (2). https://bit.ly/SoEresearchnews

Ba Akhlagh, S. (2022). Promoting cultural competence in early childhood. The Spoke. http://thespoke.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/author/dr-somayeh-ba-akhlagh/

Ba Akhlagh, S. (2021). Early Childhood Sociology of Education: A case of Cultural Diversity in Australia.  In M. Aydogmus (Ed.), New Trends and Promising Direction in Modern Education-New Perspective 2021 (pp. 74-88). Palet Yayinlari.

Ba Akhlagh, S. (2011). Giving Muslim children a sense of belonging in early childhood environment. Every Child 17(2). https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/INFORMIT.215355177226162

Conferences/Workshops

Ba Akhlagh, S. & Ardakani, A. (2024). The involvement of Ezidi families in children’s “creative play” program in rural Australia: Opportunities and challenges. School of Education Seminar Series, New England University. 24th January 2024. https://www.une.edu.au/about-une/faculty-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education/school-of-education/research/seminar-series

Ba Akhlagh, S. (28th Nov, 2023). Saudi early childhood female teachers’ perceptions of children’s gender stereotypes when implementing STEM. Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE). Melbourne.

Ba Akhlagh, S. (29th Nov, 2023). Education for Democracy: Advancing Global Citizenship through Transformative Education and Research. International Conference on Transformative Education. (online). Global Citizenship Foundation Conference. https://www.globalcitizenshipfoundation.org/profile/dr-somayeh-ba-akhlagh

Ba Akhlagh, S. (28th July, 2023). Promoting cultural diversity in Early Childhood Education C & K Conference; Reflect, Connect and Ignite for a shared future., Brisbane https://candk.eventsair.com/2023-ck-conference/program

Ba Akhlagh, S. (18th March 2023). How culture influences children’s development. Early Childhood Learning and Development Conference. WA. https://ecldconference.com.au/concurrent-presenters/

Ba Akhlagh, S. (2022). Australian and Iranian Preschool Teachers Conceptualization of Creativity. Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE). Adelaide

Ba Akhlagh, S., & Rogers, M. (2022). Supporting learning and transition to school for Ezidi refugee children in a rural Australian city. Early Childhood Voices 2022, Charles Sturt University (online).

Ba Akhlagh, S. & Rogers, M. (2022). Supporting School Readiness & Learning of Armidale Ezidi children under 5 years old. School of Education Seminar Series, New England University. https://www.une.edu.au/about-une/faculty-of-humanities-arts-social-sciences-and-education/school-of-education/research/seminar-series

Ba Akhlagh, S. (2021). Early childhood national educational frameworks and teachers' beliefs about creativity: A comparative study of Australia and Iran. European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) Annual Conference. Online festival.

Ba Akhlagh, S. (2021). Promoting cultural diversity in Australian early childhood education. European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) Annual Conference. Online festival. Ped Talk.

Ba Akhlagh, S. (2020). Early childhood national educational policies: A comparative perspective. HASSE Research Summit, New England University. Online Conference.

Ba Akhlagh, S. (2020). Creativity in Australia and Iran: Twisted tales of imagination, thinking and play in early childhood. School of Education Seminar Series, New England University. 18th November 2021.

Press/Media

NSW Government website-Education (2022). Collaborative relationships with families is central to quality outcomes for children https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/leadership/news/dr-somayeh-ba-akhlagh

Projects

Ba Akhlagh, S. & Matthews, J. (2023). Child-parent interactions during online heritage language instruction and the perceived role of parental involvement.

Ba Akhlagh, S. Veliz, L. Zhang, Z. Randeniya, A. (2023). Empowering early childhood leaders and educators to deliver plurilingual practices that address the needs of children of diverse backgrounds.

Ba Akhlagh, S. Cohrssen, C. (2023). Evaluation of the Integration Program, “Creative Play”, at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM).

Ba Akhlagh, S. & Mehana, M. (2022). Supporting School Readiness & Learning of Armidale Ezidi children under 5 years old.

Thesis

Early childhood national educational frameworks and teachers' beliefs about creativity: A comparative study of Australia and Iran.

Memberships

Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE). SIG - Early Childhood Education, Inclusive Education, Policy in Education

NSW NESA accredited  teacher