Since graduating from the School of Early Childhood at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in 1990, I have worked as an early childhood teacher and leader/manager in a range of settings with children from birth to eight years before moving into teaching and research in Higher Education. I worked as a Lecturer at Queensland University of Technology, Australian Catholic University and Griffith University prior to moving to the UK in 2006 to take up a post at Canterbury Christ Church University. I worked at the University of Portsmouth as Head of School of Education and Sociology before moving to Liverpool Hope University to take up the post of Dean and Professor of Education.


Throughout my career, I have worked collaboratively with a range of professionals and value a multi-disciplinary approach to working with children, their families and the wider community. My doctoral studies explored the beliefs and practices of Australian preschool teachers with regard to teaching, learning and Religious Education. http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/digitaltheses/public/adt-acuvp161.10062008/

I have led teams of academic colleagues in the education subject area, to develop the curriculum and teaching portfolio for programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level. I supervise doctoral students in a range of subjects related to education, leadership and research methods. I am a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.