Jennifer Sumsion
Sub-Dean Graduate Studies
BEconomics, (Uni Sydney), DipEd (Sydney Teachers College, MEd, (Uni Sydney), PHd (Uni Sydney)
Jennifer Sumsion
Charles Sturt University Faculty of Education
Bathurst, NSW, Australia
Email Jennifer Sumsion
Bio
My scholarly and professional interests lie in the use of innovative conceptual, theoretical, methodological, pedagogical, and collaborative approaches to address enduring challenges within early childhood education, early childhood teacher education and early childhood research. I am particularly interested in the potential of alternative perspectives for enhancing practice, strengthening research capacities and informing policy decision-making, and strongly believe in the importance of forging productive links and networks that extend beyond the traditional early childhood field.
Research
My research program focuses on two related areas of national priority:
- the severe shortage of early childhood teachers, especially in the long day care sector The early childhood teacher shortage has serious implications as the quality of children’s services depends to a large extent on the availability of qualified, stable and committed staff. Through its specific focus on professional preparation; professional identities and cultures; governance, accountability and autonomy; and recruitment, retention and attrition, my research assists in refining understandings of issues contributing to the shortage of early childhood teachers, and identifying policy directions that may assist in alleviating the shortage.
- the quality of early childhood education and care (ECEC) services
To be of benefit to children, families, communities and the nation, early childhood education and care must be of high quality. What constitutes quality, however, and how to identify and promote quality remain the focus of considerable scholarly and policy debate. In contrast to much of the research on quality that focuses on readily measurable aspects, my research focuses on less tangible aspects such as practitioner agency and enquiry. My research also addresses the implications for quality of current developments in ECEC, including the growth of corporate childcare.
Category 1: National Competitive Research Grants
Funded
- 2004-2006: Optimising the quality of long day care: Early childhood teachers' perceptions of the impact of regulation. Australian Research Council (Linkage Grant) with Industry Partners: NSW Independent Education Union + Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils for APA(I) PHD Stipend + $22,500 from Industry Partners [1st named chief investigator, with J Goodfellow].
- 2008-2010: A multi-modal investigation of current and proposed structures and processed determining and sustaining quality in Australian centre-based child care. Australian Research Council (Discovery Grant), with L Harrison and F Press. Amount requested:$257,196
Under Review
- 2008-2010: What is life like for babies and toddlers in childcare? Understanding the ‘lived experience’ of infants through innovative mosaic methodology. Submitted to the Australian Research Council (Linkage Grant) with Industry Partners: Family Day Care Australia and KU children’s Services, November 2007 Requested from ARC: $272, 368. Industry Partner Cash Contribution: $65,101
Under Development
Category 2: Public Sector Research Funding
Competitive
Funded
- 2001-2003: An investigation of the extent, impact and implications of the gender imbalance within the children’s services workforce in NSW. NSW Department of Community Services, $55,000 [1st named chief investigator, with M Lyons, University of Western Sydney and A Quinn, University of Queensland].
- 2001: Early childhood teachers and qualified staff. Office of Childcare, NSW Department of Community Services, $55,000 [associate investigator, with P Saunders, Chief Investigator, K Fisher, C Cummings, J Tudball, UNSW; P Warrilow, Families at Work; C a’Beckett, UNE].
- 2001: An evaluation of the implementation of the NSW Early Childhood Curriculum Framework, Office of Childcare, NSW Department of Community Services $10,000 [chief investigator, with C Patterson and J Goodfellow].
Category 3: Industry Funding
Funded
- 2002: Small group work in the early years of school, Highfields School, $3,750
Category 4: International Funding Schemes
Recent Proposals Not Funded
- 2006: Developing a collaborative research agenda for investigating policy-market interactions in the provision of quality early childhood education and care. Application to the international council for Canadian Studies’ International Research Linkages Scheme, $11,000
Internal Funding
Charles Sturt University
- 2006: $2000 funding from the Faculty of Education Research Development Fund for project entitled: Developing a collaborative cross-national (Australian – Canadian) research agenda for investigating policy-market interactions in the provision of quality early childhood education and care
Macquarie University
- 2002: $1,500 funding from Institute of Early Childhood for project entitled: Preservice teachers' sense of place in their teacher education program.
- 2002: $5,157 funding from Macquarie University for project entitled: An investigation of early childhood educators’ career resilience.
- 2000: $4,300 funding from Macquarie University for project entitled: Preschool children’s perceptions of their male teachers.
- 1999: $4,090 funding from Macquarie University (ARC Small Grant) for project entitled: An investigation of the career paths of male early childhood educators.
- 1999: $3,400 funding from Macquarie University for project entitled: Male early childhood educators’ experiences and perceptions of the gender imbalance within the profession.
- 1998: $5,000 funding from Macquarie University (ARC Small Grant) for project entitled: Reflection and the facilitation of professional development and effectiveness: A case study of beginning early childhood teachers.
- 1998: $5,000 funding from Macquarie University for project entitled: Fostering a research culture amongst teacher educators.
- 1997: $3,818 funding from Macquarie University for project entitled: Factors influencing the career choice of early childhood student teachers: A cross cultural study.
- 1996: $6,000 funding from Macquarie University for project entitled: Early childhood graduates' transition to teaching.
- 1995: $5,000 funding from Macquarie University for project entitled: Students' perceptions of the impact of assessment practices.
- 1995: $5,000 funding from Macquarie University for project entitled: Aspects of the professional development of early childhood student teachers.
- 1994: $2,000 funding from Institute of Early Childhood for project entitled: Publishing opportunities for early childhood academics.
- 1992: $2,500 funding from Macquarie University for project entitled: Reflective practices and the development of early childhood literacy teachers (with A. Fleet).
Teaching
My Philosophy of Teaching
My philosophy of teaching and professional practice emphasises co-construction of understandings in a learning environment characterised by respect for individual differences, trust, support, challenge, high expectations, deep engagement, and a sense of community, and underpinned by a commitment to social justice. I see my role as a facilitator of learning rather than a transmitter of knowledge. Thus, I seek to provide rich and varied opportunities for student engagement in goal-setting, risk-taking, critical reflection, and purposeful and meaningful learning activities in which learners have considerable choice about the focus of their learning and forms in which they represent it. I have a strong commitment to fostering students’ excitement about learning and commitment to ongoing learning; their confidence in their capacities as developing professionals; and their willingness and ability to a) critically examine beliefs and assumptions that may have unduly limited perceptions of available options; and b) explore previously unrecognised possibilities.
Teaching Grants
- 2001: Fostering generic skills through curriculum mapping, developmental sequencing, and critical friend assisted self-evaluation, Macquarie University, $20,000.
- 1998: Developing a web site to enhance the effectiveness of the practicum. Macquarie University, $30,713
Publications
Books
- Phelan, A, M, & Sumsion, J. (Eds.). (forthcoming) Critical readings in teacher education: Provoking absences. Rotterdam: Sense Publications (Series Editor, J. Kincheloe).
Book Chapters (B1)
- Sumsion, J. (2007). The transformative potential of preservice teachers’ visual inquiry. In J.G. Knowles, A. Cole, & L. Neilsen (Eds.). The art of visual inquiry. Toronto: Centre for Arts-informed Inquiry at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.
- Keesing-Styles, L., & Sumsion, J. (2007). Contentions, dissension and dialogue. In H. Hedges & L. Keesing-Styles (Eds.), Critical issues and trends in early childhood education: Australasian perspectives (pp. 211-230). Sydney: Pademelon Press.
- Sumsion, J. (2005). Putting postmodern theories into practice in early childhood teacher education. In S. Ryan & S. Grieshaber (Eds.), Practical transformations and transformational practices: Globalization, postmodernism and early childhood education (pp. 193-216). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
- Sumsion, J. (2005). Preschool children's portrayals of their male teacher: a poststructural analysis. In Y. N. (Ed.), Critical issues in early childhood education (pp. 58-81). Maidenhead, England: Open University Press.
- Goodfellow, J., & Sumsion, J. (2003). Transformative pathways in becoming an early childhood teacher. In O. N. Saracho & B. Spodek (Eds.), Studying teachers in early childhood settings (pp. 59-79). Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.
Book Chapters Accepted for Publication (B1)
- Phelan, A.M. & Sumsion, J. (in press). Lines of articulation and lines of flight in teacher education. In A.M. Phelan & J. Sumsion (Eds.). Critical readings in teacher education: Provoking absences. Rotterdam: Sense Publications
Refereed Journal Articles (C1)