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20052023

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Personal profile

Personal profile

Laura is an Adjunct in Early Childhood Education at Charles Sturt University in the School of Education. Prior to commencing in an academic role, she worked as an early childhood educator for ten years. She has also held roles in family support at a community health service, and as a consultant for Early Childhood Australia (ECA). At ECA, Laura supported early childhood educators to implement the Be You initiative, which is the national initiative to support mental health in schools and early learning services.

Laura is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and was awarded an Australian Government Office of Learning and Teaching citation for sustained excellence in scholarship in early childhood education that enhances student learning by connecting research, families and communities. Laura is a member of the editorial board for the Early Childhood Education Journal (ECEJ) and is Associate Editor for the Australasian Journal of Early Childhood (AJEC).

Research Interests

The overarching theme of Laura's research is supporting the mental health and well being of children, families and educators in the early childhood education context. Laura's research focuses on supporting quality relationships amongst children families and educators, in order to provide the best outcomes for children. Laura's research recognises the importance of a whole of service approach to supporting mental health and well being and she is particularly interested in the role of leadership in creating mentally healthy early learning communities. 

Professional Information

Laura is a member of the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) and Early Childhood Australia (ECA)

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4 - Quality Education

Education/Academic qualification

Human Development and Family Relationships, PhD, The Relationship between Parents’ Unresolved Loss and Trauma, Childhood Abuse, Frightening Experiences and Frightened/frightening Caregiving for Mothers and Fathers: Are there Differences?, The University of Texas at Austin

Award Date: 21 Dec 2000

Human Development and Family Relationships, M.A., Mothers’ Monitoring and Identification of Children’s Emotions: The Impact of Depressive Symptoms, Marital Satisfaction and Satisfaction with Social Support, The University of Texas at Austin

Award Date: 20 Dec 1998

Psychology, B.A., The University of Texas at Austin

Award Date: 21 Dec 1995

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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

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  • Thrive at work

    Tamara Cumming (Participant), Sandie Wong (Participant), Helen Logan (Participant) & Laura McFarland (Participant)

    20 Oct 202026 Nov 2020

    Activity: Participating in or organising an eventWorkshop/course/forumIndustry