Keynote Speakers

Sue Grieshaber

PhD (James Cook); M EdSt (UQld); Bed St (UQld); Dip T (Griffith)

Sue Grieshaber is Professor of Education in the School of Education. Her research interest are informed by a range of critical, feminist, and feminist post-structural theories that address social justice and equity, and include women in higher education; qualitative and post-qualitative research approaches; and early childhood curriculum, policy, pedagogies and families. Sue is Foundation Co-editor of the internationally known journal Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, has published widely, and has worked in universities in Australia and Hong Kong.

Membership of professional associations: Australian Curriculum Studies Association (ACSA) Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) American Educational Research Association (AERA) Early Childhood Australia (ECA) National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Professor Nicola Yelland

PhD (University of Queensland), MEd (Flinders University), Grad Dip Computing (University of SA), BEd (Hons), CertEd (University of Exeter)

Nicola Yelland is a Research Professor in the College of Arts & Education at Victoria University.

Over the last decade her teaching and research has been related to the use of ICT in school and community contexts. This has involved projects that have investigated the innovative learning of children as well as a broader consideration of the ways in which new technologies can impact on the pedagogies that teachers use and the curriculum in schools.

Her multidisciplinary research focus has enabled her to work with early childhood, primary and middle school teachers to enhance the ways in which ICT can be incorporated into learning contexts. Her focus is on making learning more interesting and motivating for students so that educational outcomes are improved.

Areas of Expertise:
- Early childhood education
- Gender issues in education and society
- New technologies
- Popular culture and children
- Transformative curriculum and pedagogies

Wendy Rich-Orloff

UNICEF Pacific Early Childhood Development Specialist

Dedicated education professional/consultant with over 10 years of diverse experience in education, including: training and education; classroom-based and field training; domestic and abroad, ranging in age from infants to adults. Extensive knowledge in training methodologies and adult learning styles. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in the areas of research, evaluation, writing, project management, grant research and proposal management, observation and feedback, and training design and implementation. Ability to prioritize and multi-task, work with a variety of people including in multi-cultural environments; excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Countries with work experience include: USA, Uganda, Pakistan, Cambodia, and Fiji. Passion includes supporting early childhood education, early intervention, disabilities, and parent education.