The Early Childhood Interdisciplinary Research Group (ECIR) is funded by the Charles Sturt University Sturt Scheme and presents a transformative research program promoting social justice for children, families and practitioners within early childhood.
We do this by
- using innovative methods, theories and partnerships with children, families, practitioners and the early childhood sector
- co-producing, translating and implementing research, and
- generating evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence.
Our research
- Theme 1: Interdisciplinary Practice in the Early Years. What are successful models of interdisciplinary practice in the first 2000 days and how can we translate them to optimise systems for infants and children in regional Australia? How can interdisciplinary practice support infants and young children across Australia? What role could a common language play in interdisciplinary practice in the early years? Recruitment and retention of interdisciplinary professionals who support children in the early years.
- Theme 2: Children’s Communication in the Early Years. How can international interdisciplinary practice support children’s rights and communicative capacity? How can we support monolingual and multilingual children’s speech, language and communication development? How can we creatively listen to children and empower them to have a say in matters that are important to them?
- Together, our research emphasises enhancing children’s access to, participation in and outcomes from equitable, quality early childhood programs and services, workforce sustainability, children’s rights, communication rights, and transformation of the social, policy and organisational conditions that enable social justice.
We seek opportunities to bridge gaps and promote holistic approaches between
- people: children (generally birth-8 years), families, communities, professionals
- settings: early childhood education and care, schools, homes, medical, health and disability services and
- bodies: government departments, universities, international and national organisations.
We build capacity for engaging in transformative research within our group and with other researchers.
We are guided by Charles Sturt University’s ethos:
Yindyamarra winhanganha
The wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in
and Charles Sturt University’s motto:
For the public good
We support Charles Sturt’s contribution to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 10: Reducing Inequalities.
Leadership team
Professor Sharynne McLeod, Professor Julian Grant, A/Professor Sarah Verdon, Dr Elizabeth (Libbey) Murray
If you would like to join ECIR, partner with us, or participate in our research, please contact us at ecir@csu.edu.au. We welcome comments and inquiries from professionals, researchers, research partners, funders, and aspiring PhD students.
For further information
Charles Sturt University Faculty of Arts and Education Research Groups https://arts-ed.csu.edu.au/research/research-groups
Early Childhood Interdisciplinary Research Group (CSU-Faculty of Arts and Education)
https://earlychildhoodresearch.csu.domains/
Early Childhood Research Group research outputs (CRO)
https://researchoutput.csu.edu.au/en/organisations/early-childhood-research-group
Early Childhood Research Group impact (PlumX)
https://plu.mx/csu-au/g/early-childhood-research-group
Early Childhood Voices Conference (ECV2022)
Photo credit: iStock.com/monkeybusinessimages
