Alicia Phillips

Dr. Alicia Phillips is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at the University of New England, affiliated with the School of Education in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education. She serves as Course Coordinator for the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Care) and the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary). Her work spans research, teaching, and leadership in early childhood education and care (ECEC), with a focus on quality improvement, governance, and teacher education.

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy (2020), University of Sydney
• Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) (Honours) (2004), Charles Sturt University

Her research centers on enhancing ECEC quality through policy, regulation, and teacher preparation. Key interests include the National Quality Framework, initial teacher education, professional experience, workforce wellbeing, and governance. She employs both empirical and theoretical (e.g., Foucauldian) lenses to examine systemic factors affecting ECEC quality in Australia and globally.

Her recent publications and grants reflect a strong focus on teacher wellbeing during field placements, quality assurance systems, and co-designed initiatives to improve regional ECEC. Topics span governance, pedagogy, and policy evaluation, with an emphasis on practical, impactful outcomes.

Scientific Awards:

• 2023: Faculty of Education Early Career Researcher of the Year, Southern Cross University
• 2023: Faculty of Education Research Development, Southern Cross University
• 2022: Faculty of Education Research Accelerator Fellowship, Southern Cross University
• 2020: Faculty of Education Professional Experience Teaching Excellence Award, Southern Cross University
• 2015: Faculty of Education and Social Work Teaching Excellence Award, University of Sydney
• 2005: Elwyn Morey Award in Early Childhood Education, Charles Sturt University

Dr. Phillips has secured multiple competitive grants, including funding from VVOB, Forest Hill, and SEED, supporting projects on teacher pedagogy, wellbeing, and regional ECEC decision-making. She has supervised 2 PhD, 1 Masters, and 2 Honours students to completion, demonstrating strong mentorship in higher degree research. She regularly presents at national and international conferences and contributes to professional learning in the ECEC sector.

She is actively involved in research centers and initiatives at UNE, contributing to the advancement of rural and regional early childhood education, though no specific lab or team name is mentioned in the text.