ECEC Leadership Research Symposium
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Charles Sturt University Free Online

ECEC Leadership Research Symposium

This event is funded and supported by Charles Sturt University and OMEP Australia

Wednesday 5 November, 2025

12.30 PM - 5:00 PM

About

Join us for an inspiring afternoon dedicated to exploring leadership in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). This symposium brings together leading Australian researchers and practitioners to share insights, innovations, and practical applications of leadership in early childhood settings.

Expect thought-provoking presentations, including a focus on mentoring, workforce retention, rural and remote leadership, exemplary practice and more! The event aims to foster collaboration and dialogue around ECEC leadership, and this is an exciting opportunity to connect, share, and grow together.

Whether you're a researcher, educator, or leader in the ECEC sector, this symposium is your chance to engage with cutting-edge research and contribute to shaping the future of early childhood leadership in Australia.



Agenda


Welcome & Opening

12:30 PM – 12:45 PM 

Acknowledgement of Country
Opening Address
Assoc. Prof. Lena Danaia, Charles Sturt University
A leader in STEM and astronomy education research



Speaker Sessions

Facilitated by Dr Leanne Gibbs, Charles Sturt University

12:45 PM – 1:10 PM | Dr Jessica Ciuciu, Deakin University
Qualities of positional leader and early childhood teacher relationships that support agency and retention

1:10 PM – 1:35 PM | Prof. Frances Press, Griffith University
The ‘Exemplary Early Childhood Educators at Work’ study: what did we learn about leadership?

1:35 PM – 2:00 PM | Ms Melanie Elderton, Charles Sturt University
Because sustainability is the right thing to do: Educational leaders’ perceptions of sustainability

2:00 PM – 2:25 PM | Dr Belinda Downey, Charles Sturt University
Leadership begins with relationships



Break 

2:25 PM – 2:35 PM | Refreshment Break



Speaker Sessions

2:35 PM – 3:00 PM | Ms Su Garrett, Charles Sturt University
How Can Leaders Enable the Retention of Educators in Early Childhood Education and Care?

3:00 PM – 3:25 PM | Prof. Fay Hadley, Macquarie University
Mentoring Matters: Nurturing and Growing Sustainable Practice in Early Childhood Education

3:25 PM – 3:50 PM | Ms Emma Cross, Curtin University
Beyond the Job Description: Leadership Competencies in Early Childhood Education and Care

3:50 PM – 4:15 PM | Dr Marie White, QUT
“I keep bumping into people”: Tensions in the construction of ‘good’ leadership in ECEC

4:15 PM – 4:40 PM | Dr Leanne Gibbs, Charles Sturt University
Cultivating Leadership in Regional, Rural and Remote Early Childhood Education



Wrap Up & Close

4:40 PM – 5.00 PM | Wrap-up
Facilitated by Dr Leanne Gibbs

Our presenters


Associate Professor Lena DanaiaCharles Sturt University

Opening Speaker

12:35 PM – 12:45 PM


Dr Jessica Ciuciu

12:45 PM – 01:10 PM

Title of Presentation: Qualities of positional leader and early childhood teacher relationships that support agency and retention

"Our sector is highly relational. Yet, leader-led relationships are a double-edged sword. Let’s sharpen the tools our sector needs."

Professor Frances PressCharles Sturt University

01:10 PM – 01:35 PM

Title of Presentation: The  ‘Exemplary Early Childhood Educators at Work’ study: what did we learn about leadership?

"In this study, leadership was not a focus of our research.  Why then did it emerge so strongly?"


Ms Melanie Elderton -Charles Sturt University

01:35 PM – 02:00 PM

Title of Presentation: Because sustainability is the right thing to do: Educational leaders’ perceptions of sustainability. 

Dr Belinda Downey -Charles Sturt University

02:00 PM – 02:25 PM

Title of Presentation: Leadership begins with relationships

"Leaders foster strong relationships through reflective practice.  These relationships boost educator wellbeing and retention — because building connections,  builds retention."


Ms Su Garrett Charles Sturt University

02:35 PM – 03:00 PM

Title of Presentation: How Can Leaders Enable the Retention of Educators in Early Childhood Education and Care? 

"Engaging a professional workforce is vital for the sustainability of the ECEC Sector. Leaders are key in enabling and constraining educator retention."

Professor Fay Hadley -Macquarie University

03:00 PM – 03:25 PM

Title of Presentation: Mentoring Matters: Nurturing and Growing Sustainable Practice in Early Childhood Education

"I share this research to show how mentoring can build leadership, strengthen early childhood teachers, and secure a thriving future in ECE."


Ms Emma Cross Curtin University

03:25 PM – 03:50 PM

Title of Presentation: Beyond the Job Description: Leadership Competencies in Early Childhood Education and Care

"Leadership shapes quality in ECEC, yet role expectations remain unclear. My research identifies the competencies essential for effective leadership."

Dr Marie WhiteQUT

03:50 PM – 04:15 PM

Title of Presentation: “I keep bumping into people”: Tensions in the construction of ‘good’ leadership in early childhood education and care

"Leadership is a lynchpin in the development of thriving teams committed to high-quality ECEC. Yet some ECEC leaders are still ambivalent when talking about their work as leaders. Discourses that shape leadership in ECEC, don’t always align with how leaders think about their work. Given the critical role leadership plays in promoting positive workplace cultures, it is important to develop new ways of talking about ECEC leadership.."


Dr Leanne Gibbs - Charles Sturt University

04:40 PM – 04:50 PM

Title of Presentation: Cultivating Leadership in Regional, Rural and Remote Early Childhood Education: Challenges, Innovations and Opportunities

"This research amplifies regional, rural and remote voices, revealing leadership innovations that shape equitable, high-quality early childhood education and care across communities."


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