Kathy Cologon

Associate Professor Kathy Cologon
Associate Director, Children, Families and Communities
Children’s Voices Centre, Charles Sturt University

Associate Professor Kathy Cologon Ph.D (she/her) is Associate Director, Children, Families and Communities at Charles Sturt University’s Children’s Voices Centre.

Kathy is an internationally recognised scholar in Inclusive Education and Disability Studies. As a fierce advocate for children’s rights and social justice, Kathy is committed to contributing to a world where every child is recognised and valued. Her research, teaching and policy engagement challenge deficit-based assumptions and promote inclusive, child-centred approaches that work to ensure all children can thrive as active and valued members of their communities. Her work is deeply aligned with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Kathy’s commitment is grounded in strong partnerships with families, educators, allied professionals, policymakers and, most importantly, children themselves. Kathy has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and books, including the widely used text Inclusive Education in the Early Years: Right from the Start (Oxford University Press), now in its second edition, and the recent co-authored Inclusive Education through the Creative Arts (SAGE, 2024). Her work has informed national policy frameworks, government reviews, the Disability Royal Commission, and the work of UNICEF.

A respected collaborator and mentor, Kathy has led projects that bring together diverse voices and perspectives – from evaluating national programs to co-creating inclusive practices alongside children and families. Her work is driven by the belief that listening to children, in all of the diverse ways children communicate, and acting on children’s perspectives, is a key step towards genuine inclusion and social transformation.

Kathy’s current and graduated PhD students have made remarkable contributions to the field of education through early childhood practice, academia, and working with national and international NGOs and United Nations Agencies.

Previously a Senior Lecturer at Macquarie University and Principal Researcher at the NSW Department of Education, Kathy brings extensive experience in building interdisciplinary partnerships across education, health, disability and community sectors.

Kathy’s commitment to children’s communication and participation rights underpins her work. She actively collaborates with families, educators and policymakers to ensure research findings translate into meaningful change. Her approach centres listening to children and communities to foster equitable systems and social transformation.

Through research, partnership and action, Kathy aims to help shape a more just and inclusive world where every child’s perspective is recognised and valued.

View Kathy's blog at: www.towardinclusion.com.au/blog 

Google Scholar profile