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Ms. Alison Watson

Lecturer, Early Childhood Education

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Campus

Churchill Campus

Biography

Dr Alison Watson is a lecturer in early childhood education who has extensive experience in both the early childhood education and care and tertiary (TAFE and University) sectors. She has taught and coordinated many of the early childhood units within the various initial teacher education programs at Federation University. 

Throughout her teaching, Alison maintains a student-centred approach that values learner voice, agency and engagement and an explicit commitment to creating safe, respectful and supportive learning environments.  

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More about Alison

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Federation University  
  • Master of Educational Studies, Federation University 
  • Certificate in Gifted Education, Monash University  
  • Bachelor of Education (Primary), Gippsland Institute of Advanced Education 
  • Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood), Institute of Early Childhood Development

Areas of interest

  • Children experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage 
  • Gifted and talented children 
  • Quality early childhood education and care 
  • Professional development and learning of early childhood educators and teachers 
  • The use of digital technologies to support learning, particularly during times of crisis or critical incidents 
  • The Victorian School Readiness Funding Initiative 

Areas of expertise

Alison’s doctoral research examined early childhood educators’ and teachers’ perceptions of vulnerable and disadvantaged children, as well as the professional knowledge base they rely on to effectively support and educate these young children. Her master's research focused on the impact of the Universal Access initiative on the quality of early childhood education for preschool children. Alison continues to develop her qualitative research skills and has started disseminating her work through publications and conferences. 

  • Children’s play 
  • Children’s development 
  • Foundations of language and literacy 
  • Wellbeing of children and educators 
  • Numeracy and digital technology 
  • Behaviour guidance 
  • Professional experience preparation and mentorship 

Professional association memberships

  • World Federation Association for Teacher Education (WFATE) 
  • European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) Holistic Wellbeing Special Interest Group (SIG) 
  • Current Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) registration  

Conference papers

  • Watson, A. (2025, August 17). EECERA Conference 2025 – Guest Blog # 19:  Exploring pedagogical support for vulnerable children. https://eecera.org/general/eecera-conference-2025-guest-blog-19-exploring-pedagogical-support-for-vulnerable-children/ 
  • Watson, A. (2025, August). Exploring pedagogical support for vulnerable children. European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) Annual Conference.  Comenius University, Bratislava, Spain. 
  • Watson, A. (2025, May). Transforming early childhood education: The role of professional learning and development in supporting vulnerable children. World Federation Association of Associations for Teacher Education (WFATE) Eighth Biannual Conference and Association for Teacher Education in Europe (ATEE) Spring Conference. Rovira i Virgili University, Tarragona, Spain. 
  • Watson, A. (2021, November). Vulnerability in the early childhood years: How early childhood educators embrace inclusive practices. World Federation Association of Associations for Teacher Education (WFATE) Sixth Biennial Conference [Online]. 

Social Justice, Inclusion and Diversity in Education (SJIDE)

Alison is part of the Social Justice, Inclusion and Diversity in Education (SJIDE) research group, which focuses on equity, diversity, inclusion, opportunity, regionality and wellbeing in formal and non-formal educational settings.