Fiona Boylan

Fiona Boylan is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies and Course Coordinator for the Master of Teaching Early Childhood Studies at Edith Cowan University's School of Education. She holds a PhD in Education (2021) and a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) from Curtin University (1992). With 25+ years’ experience as a government school teacher, her research focuses on mindset development, play-based pedagogy, and transitions in early childhood education.

Research interests include growth mindset design principles, digital literacy in early years, and fostering social-emotional learning. She leads major projects such as the $173k 'Transforming Transitions 2' initiative and the $45k 'Better Beginnings' digital literacy study. Awards include the 2019 PESA Scholarship and 2011 WA Teacher of the Year semi-finalist recognition.

Her work integrates theory and practice through publications in journals like Children and Society and Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education. She chairs Positive Education in Schools (PESA) WA and advises the SCSA Curriculum Committee K-2.