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

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)

Fenech, M., Sumsion, J. & Goodfellow, J. (2008). Regulation and risk: Early childhood education and care services as sites where ‘the laugh of Foucault’ resounds. Journal of Education Policy. 23(1), 35-48.
Fenech, M., Sumsion, J., Robertson, G., & Goodfellow, J. (2008). The regulatory environment: A source of job (dis)satisfaction for early childhood professionals? Early Child Development and Care, 178 (1), 1-14.
Fenech, M. & Sumsion, (2007) . Promoting high quality early education and care services: Beyond risk management, performative constructions of regulation. Journal of Early Childhood Research 5(3), 263-283.
Sumsion, J. (2007). Sustaining the employment of early childhood teachers in long day care: A case for robust hope, critical imagination and critical action. Asia Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 35(3), 311-327.
Fenech, M., & Sumsion, J. (2007). Early childhood teachers and regulation: Complicating power relations using a Foucauldian lens. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood 8(2), 109-122.
Bown, K., & Sumsion, J. (2007). Voices from the other side of the fence: Early childhood teachers’ experience with mandatory requirements. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood. 8(1), 30-49.
Fenech, M., Robertson, G., Sumsion, J., & Goodfellow, J. (2007). Working by the rules: Early childhood professionals' perceptions of regulatory requirements. Early Child Development and Care 77(1), 93-106.
Fenech, M., Sumsion, J., & Goodfellow, J. (2006). The regulatory environment in long day care: A ‘double edged sword’ for early childhood professional practice. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 31(3), 49-58.
Sumsion, J. (2006). The corporatization of Australian childcare: Towards an ethical audit and research agenda. Journal of Early Childhood Research 4(2), 99-120.
Sumsion, J. (2006). From Whitlam to economic rationalism and beyond: A conceptual framework for political activism in children’s services. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 31(1), 1-9.
Sumsion, J. (2005). Staff shortages in children's services: Challenging taken-for-granted discourses. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 30(2), 40-48.
Sumsion, J. (2005). Male teachers in early childhood education: Issues and case study. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 20, 109-123.
Lyons, M., Quinn, A., & Sumsion, J. (2005). Gender, the labour market, the workplace and policy in children's services: Parent, staff and student attitudes. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 30(1), 6-13.
Lee-Thomas, K., Sumsion, J., & Roberts, S. (2005). Teacher understandings of and commitment to gender equity in the early childhood setting. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 30(1), 21-27.
Sumsion, J. (2004). Early childhood teachers' constructions of their resilience and thriving: A continuing investigation. International Journal of Early Years Education, 12 (3), 213-222.
Dockett, S., & Sumsion, J. (2004). Australian research in early childhood education: Contexts, tensions, challenges and future directions. Australian Educational Researcher, 31 (3), 3-18.
Sumsion, J., & Patterson, C. (2004). The emergence of community in a preservice teacher education programme. Teaching and Teacher Education, 20 (6), 621-635.
Sumsion, J., & Goodfellow, J. (2004). Identifying generic skills through curriculum mapping: A critical approach. Higher Education Research & Development, 23(3), 329-346.
Britt, C., & Sumsion, J. (2003). Within the borderlands: Beginning early childhood teachers in primary schools. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 4(2), 115-136.
Sumsion, J. (2003). Rereading metaphors as cultural texts: A case study of early childhood teacher attrition. Australian Educational Researcher, 30(3), 67-87.
Sumsion, J. (2003). "Bad days don't kill you; they just make you stronger": A case study of an early childhood educator's resilience. International Journal of Early Years Education, 11(2), 141-154.
Sumsion, J. (2003). Researching with children: Lessons in humility, reciprocity and community. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 28(1), 18-23.
Sumsion, J. (2002). Becoming, being and unbecoming an early childhood educator: A phenomenological case study of teacher attrition. Teaching and Teacher Education, 18(7), 869-885.
Sumsion, J. (2002). Revisiting the challenge of staff recruitment and retention in children's services. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 27(1), 8-13.
Olsen, A., & Sumsion, J. (2002). Early childhood teacher practices regarding the use of dramatic play in K-2 classrooms. Australian Research in Early Childhood Education, 9(1), 37-49.
Patterson, C., Sumsion, J., Cross, T., McNaught, M., Fleet, A., Talay-Ongan, A. & Burgess, C., (2002). Teaching as inquiry: Engaging preservice teachers with research. Australian Journal of Early Childhood. 27(2), 21-25.
Sumsion, J. (2001). Workplace violence in early childhood settings: A counter narrative. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Education, 2(2), 195-208.
Sumsion, J., & Patterson, C. (2001). Collaborative learning on-line: Overcoming the tyranny of distance. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, 22(4), 261-266.
Sumsion, J. (2000a). Caring and empowerment: A teacher educator's reflection on an ethical dilemma. Teaching in Higher Education, 5(2), 167-180.
Sumsion, J. (2000b). Facilitating reflection: A cautionary account. Reflective Practice, 1(2), 199-214.
Sumsion, J. (2000c). Negotiating otherness: A male early childhood educator's gender positioning. International Journal of Early Years Education, 8(2), 129-140.
Sumsion, J. (2000d). Oppositional discourses: Deconstructing responses to investigations of male early childhood educators. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 1(3), 259-275.
Sumsion, J. (2000e). Reflecting on sailing: And re-imagining, reinventing, and renewing life as a teacher educator. Teacher Education Quarterly, 27(2), 77-86.
Sumsion, J. (2000f). Rewards, risks and tensions: Perceptions of males enrolled in an early childhood teacher education programme. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 28(1), 87-100.
Goodfellow, J., & Sumsion, J. (2000). Transformative pathways: Field-based teacher educators' perceptions of their contribution to student teachers' personal-professional development. Journal of Education for Teaching, 26(3), 245-257.
Knowles, J. G., Cole, A. L., & Sumsion, J. (2000a). Modifying conditions of researching in teacher education institutions. Teacher Education Quarterly, 27(2), 7-13.

Manuscripts Accepted for Publication in Refereed Journals (C1)

Fenech, M., Sumsion, J., & Goodfellow, J. (in press) Regulation and risk: Early childhood education and care services as sites where ‘the laugh of Foucault’ resounds. Journal of Education Policy
Fenech, M., Sumsion, J., & Goodfellow, J. (in press). The regulatory environment: A source of job (dis)satisfaction for early childhood professionals? Early Child Development and Care.

Manuscripts Under Review

Sumsion, J. Parents as consumers of early childhood education and care: The feasibility of demand-led improvements to quality. Submitted to Critical Social Policy

Refereed Conference Proceedings (E1)

Lyons, M., Quinn, A., & Sumsion, J. (2003). Males and early childhood care and education: Student staff and parent survey evidence. In G. White, S. Corby & C. Stanworth (Eds.). Regulation, de-regulation and re-regulation. The scope of employment relations in the 21st century, Vol. 2. Proceedings of the 11th Annual Conference of the International Employment Relations Association (pp. 574-595). Sydney: University of Technology, Sydney.
Patterson, C., & Sumsion, J. (1996). Linking theory and practice in early childhood teacher education. In M. Fleer & S. Dockett (Eds.), Quality tertiary teaching and learning in early childhood education. Proceedings of the Australian Research in Early Childhood Education Symposium(pp. 1-10). Canberra: University of Canberra.

Major Reports

Sumsion, J., Lyons, M., & Quinn, A. (2004). “… the ‘right’ men not just more men”: An investigation of the gender imbalance in the children’s services workforce in New South Wales. Report to the NSW Department of Community Services.
Warrilow, P., Fisher, K., Cummings, K., Sumsion, J., a'Beckett, C., & Tudball, J. (2002). Early childhood teachers and qualified staff. Report to the Office of Childcare, NSW Department of Community Services.
Patterson, C., Sumsion, J., & Goodfellow, J. (2001). The practice of relationships: Essential provisions for children's services: An evaluation of the implementation of the NSW Early Childhood Curriculum Framework . Report to the Office of Childcare, NSW Department of Community Services.

Editorials

Saltmarsh, D., Sumsion, J., & McMaugh, A., Symes, C. (2006). The geography of a teacher education journal. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 34(2), 139-141.
McMaugh, A., Sumsion, J., Symes, C., & Saltmarsh, D. (2006). From ethics in research to ethics in writing: Not entirely separate matters. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 34(1), 1-3.
Saltmarsh, D., McMaugh, A., Symes, C., & Sumsion, J. (2005). ‘Disgusting’, ‘abominable’ and ‘pathetic’: Making teacher education presentable. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 33(2), 111-113.
Sumsion, J., Symes, C., Saltmarsh, D., & McMaugh, A. (2005). Generational and situational change. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 33(1), 1-3.
Sumsion, J., Symes, C., Saltmarsh, D., & McMaugh, A. (2005). Teacher education journals as cultural and political texts. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 33(3), 227-230.

As guest co-editor

International (Invited)

Sumsion, J. & Press, F. (2007). Child care: Politics and policy Part 1. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood 8(2).
Press, F., & Sumsion, J. (2007) Child care: Politics and policy Part 2. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood 8(3).
Knowles, J. G., Cole, A. L., & Sumsion, J. (2000). "Publish or perish": The role and meaning of "research" in teacher education institutions, Teacher Education Quarterly 27(2).

National (Following acceptance of proposal)

Dockett, S., & Sumsion, J. (Eds.). (2004). Innovations in early childhood research. Australian Educational Researcher, 31(3).
Fasoli, L., & Sumsion, J. (Eds.). (2003). Researching with children. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 28(1).

Book Reviews

Invited

Sumsion, J. (2005). Review of A passion for teaching by Christopher Day, (London: Routledge Falmer 2004). Teaching Education, 16(3), 278-279.

Overseas Conference Presentations and Papers

Invited

Sumsion, J. (2007, Sept). Corporate childcare in Australia: Is it in the public interest? Invited address to the opening symposium of the International Centre for the Mixed Economy of Childcare. University of East London, London.
Sumsion, J. (2007, Sept). Making a profit: The role of the private sector in early care and education. Invited discussant at symposium presented at the British Educational Research Associaton Conference, London.
Sumsion, J. (2003, April). Using visual images in research with teachers. Invited presentation to the Critical Early Childhood Special Interest Group at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago.
Sumsion, J. (2001, October). Becoming, being and unbecoming an early childhood teacher: Rereading metaphors as cultural texts. Invited panellist and paper presented at the pre-conference symposium of the Reconceptualizing Early Childhood Education, Research, Theory and Practice Conference, New York.

Accepted

Phelan, A., & Sumsion, J. (2007, April). Provoking Absences: Critical Readings of Teacher Education. An interactive symposium presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago.
Sumsion, J. (2006, April). The corporatisation of Australian childcare: Towards an ethical audit and research agenda. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco.
Sumsion, J., Lyons, M., & Quinn, A. (2005, April). "... the right men, not just more men": Views about male early childhood educators. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Montreal.
Johnson, R., & Sumsion, J. (2004, May). Picturing early childhood education as imperialist entity. Paper presented at the Reconceptualizing Early Childhood Education, Research, Theory and Practice Conference, Oslo.
Sumsion, J. (2004, April). Preschool children’s portrayals of their male teacher. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Research in Education, San Diego.
Lyons, M., Quinn, A. & Sumsion, J. (2003, July). Males and early childhood care and education: Student, staff and parent survey evidence. Paper presented at the 11th Annual Conference of the International Employment Relations Association, Greenwich, England.
Sumsion, J. (2003, April). Children's perceptions and positioning of their male preschool teacher. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago.
Sumsion, J. (2001, April a). A phenomenological case study of staff attrition in early childhood education. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Seattle.
Sumsion, J. (2001, April b). Workplace violence in early childhood settings: A counter narrative. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association Meeting, Seattle.
Sumsion, J. (2000, April a). A cross-cultural comparison of Canadian and Australian preservice teachers' motivations of their career choice. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans.
Goodfellow, J., & Sumsion, J. (2000, April). Field-based teacher educators' perceptions of their contribution to preservice teachers' personal professional development. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans.
Sumsion, J. (1999, April). A longitudinal, holistic study of preservice teachers' reflection. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association Conference, Montreal.

National / Australasian Academic Conference Presentations

Invited

Sumsion, J. (2006, Nov). Beyond the PhD: Developing a repertoire of research methodologies. Invited presentation. Early Career Researcher Symposium at the Australian Association for Research in Education, Adelaide.
Sumsion, J., Lyons, M., & Quinn, A. (2003, Nov). The extent, impact and implications of the gender imbalance within the children’s services workforce in New South Wales: A work in progress report. Paper presented at New Zealand Early Childhood Research Symposium, Auckland.

Accepted

Sumsion, J. (2007, Nov). The subject(s) of teacher education: A rhizomatic reading. Paper presented in the Researching subjectivities in (teacher education): Sites of performative representations Symposium, at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, Fremantle.
Fenech, M., & Sumsion, J. (2007, July). Promoting high quality early childhood education and care services: Beyond a risk management, performative, regulatory environment. Paper presented at the Biennial Australian Social Policy Conference, Sydney.
Fenech, M., & Sumsion, J. (2006, December). Early childhood teachers and regulation: Complicating power relations using a Foucauldian lens. Paper presented at the Reconceptualizing Early Childhood Education Research, Theory and Practice Conference, Rotorua, NZ.
Fenech, M., Sumsion, J., & Goodfellow, J. (2006, December). Regulation and risk: Early childhood education and care services as sites where ‘the laugh of Foucault’ resounds. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, Adelaide.
Bown, K., & Sumsion, J. (2005, December). Teachers as professionals in the regulatory environment. Paper to be presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, Sydney.
Fenech, M., Sumsion, J., & Goodfellow, J. (2005, December). Working by the rules: Early childhood professionals' perceptions of regulatory requirements. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, Sydney.
Fenech, M., Sumsion, J., & Goodfellow, J. (2004, December). Optimising professionalism and quality in long day care: Early childhood professionals' perceptions of the impact of the regulatory environment. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, Melbourne.
Sumsion, J., & Kilderry, A. (2005). Regulation and accountability in early childhood education. Symposium presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, Sydney.
Sumsion, J. (2003, November). Preservice teachers’ sense of place in their teacher education program. Paper presented at the Joint Conference of the New Zealand Association for Research in Education and the Australian Association for Research in Education, Auckland.
Goodfellow, J., & Sumsion, J. (2003, January). Building graduate profiles through curriculum mapping. Paper presented at the Australian Research in Early Childhood Education Conference, Melbourne.
Sumsion, J., & Goodfellow, J. (2002, November). Identifying generic skills through curriculum mapping: A critical evaluation. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, Fremantle.
Britt, C., & Sumsion, J. (2002, December). Within the borderlands: Beginning early childhood teachers in primary schools. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, Brisbane.
Sumsion, J. (2002). "Bad days don't kill you; they just make you stronger": A case study of an early childhood educator's resilience. Paper presented at the Australian Research in Early Childhood Education Conference, Canberra.
Sumsion, J. (2001, January). Workplace violence in early childhood settings: A readers' theatre. Paper presented at the Australian Research in Early Childhood Education Conference, Canberra.
Sumsion, J. (2001, July). There has to be something more than this: A longitudinal exploration of the blossoming and wilting of an early childhood educator's career. Paper presented at the Biennial Conference of the Australian Early Childhood Association, Sydney.
Sumsion, J., & Patterson, C. (2001, November). The emergence of community in a preservice teacher education program. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, Fremantle.
Sumsion, J. (2000, July). Reconceptualising men and masculinities in early childhood education: Continuing the conversation. Paper presented at the International Reconceptualizing Early Childhood Conference, Brisbane.
Sumsion, J. (2000,November). Negotiating otherness: A male early childhood educator's gender positioning. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Educational Research Association, Sydney.
Olsen, A., & Sumsion, J. (2000, November). Early childhood teacher practices regarding the use of dramatic play in K-2 classrooms. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Educational Research Association, Sydney.
Goodfellow, J., & Sumsion, J. (1999, January). Appreciating cooperating teachers' professional wisdom. Paper presented at the Biennial Practical Experiences in Professional Education Conference, Christchurch.
Sumsion, J. (1999, November). A comparative study of the influences on the career choice of Canadian and Australian preservice teachers. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, Melbourne.
Sumsion, J. (1998, July). Computer-mediated communication in the practicum: Panacea or Pandora's box? Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Teacher Education Association, Melbourne.
Sumsion, J. (1997, January). Researching the practicum: Reflections on challenges and chances. Paper presented at the Biennial Practical Experiences in Professional Education Conference, Adelaide.
Sumsion, J. (1997, November). Promoting student teachers' reflection: A realistic goal? Paper Presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, Brisbane.
Sumsion, J., & Thomas, D. (1995, November). Stress management for student teachers in the practicum. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, Hobart.
Sumsion, J. (1994, November). An exploration of Eastern philosophy: Enhancing understanding of reflection. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education, Newcastle.
Patterson, C., & Sumsion, J. (1993, July). Images of teaching: Student teachers' perspectives. Paper Presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Teacher Education Association Conference, Perth.

Professional Publications

Sumsion, J. & Press, F. (2007). Policy and priorities from the ground up: Investigating quality in early childhood education and care. Bedrock, 12(1). pp.10-11.
Sumsion, J. (2006). Issues for the future. Rattler, 78, 28-29.
Sumsion, J. (1995). Learning to read. First Steps, 13, 12-13.
Sumsion, J. (1994). Toddlers as ‘readers and writers’. First Steps, 12, 12-13.
Sumsion, J. (1994). Babies and books. First Steps, 6-7.
Sumsion, J. (1991). Playing with print. Australian Early Childhood Resource Booklet, 4, 1-16.
Sumsion, J. (1990). Young children writing. Rattler, 14, 13-15.
Sumsion, J. (1983). Family grouping. In C. Jenson (Ed.). All in together (pp.16-20). Sydney: Inner City Education Centre.

School of Teacher Education

Inquiries

02 6338 4410