School of Teacher Education

Inquiries

02 6338 4410

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
Ph:(02) 6338 4423
Fax:(02) 6338 4417
Email Jennifer Sumsion

Bio

Jennifer is Foundation Professor of Early Childhood Education. Her 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. She is particularly interested in the potential of alternative perspectives for enhancing practice, strengthening research capacities and informing policy decision-making. She strongly believes in the importance of forging productive links and networks that extend beyond the traditional early childhood field.

Research

Editorial Appointments

Current:
Previous:

Professional Engagement

Jennifer was co-leader (with colleague A/Prof Linda Harrison) of the national consortium led by Charles Sturt University that was awarded the tender to develop and trial Belonging, Being and Becoming: the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia. The Consortium consisted of 30 members from around Australia, including academics universities, representatives of peak early childhood organisations, employer groups, practitioners and consultants and the task involved working closely with representatives from the Council of Australian Governments. Producing a coherent framework that built on the strengths of the different theoretical perspectives, satisfied political imperatives, was responsive to feedback from national consultations and case study trials and respectful of diverse cultural perspectives was extremely challenging but rewarding. The model we developed to facilitate successful cross sectoral collaboration, discussion and debate has attracted considerable interest.

Jennifer is currently a:

Recent Australian Research Council (ARC) Grants

Publications

Selection of Recent Books

Selection of Book Chapters 2005 - 2010

Selection of refereed journal articles 2005 - 2010