Clara Rivera

Dr. Clara Rivera is a Lecturer in Language and Literacy at the University of Wollongong's School of Education, part of the Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities. She also serves as an Associate Investigator with the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child. Her research focuses on co-design methodologies involving children as active participants in digital technology development, emphasizing children's rights frameworks.

Education: She holds a PhD from the University of Wollongong, where her doctoral work explored children's roles as co-designers and co-researchers in app development for preschoolers. This research earned the 2021 Beth Southwell Award and a Ray Debus Award nomination.

Research Interests: Clara's work bridges Child-Computer Interaction (CCI) and early childhood education. Key themes include digital play contexts, participatory design with children, and evaluating digital technologies' impact on cognitive and psychosocial outcomes. Recent studies address digital footprint management and family perspectives on home technology use.

Teaching & Leadership: She coordinates courses like Language and Learning and Early Childhood Contexts. Professional roles include convening the Children and Student Voice SIG for AARE and serving as NSW South Coast Local Council President for ALEA.

Awards: Notable recognitions include the 2021 Beth Southwell Award for her thesis and multiple collaborative research publications addressing child-centered digital technologies.

Labs/Teams: Active contributor to the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, focusing on ethical digital technology design for children.