Donna Berthelsen

Donna Berthelsen is a Professor at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), specializing in early childhood education and child development. Her research focuses on parenting interventions, child self-regulation, and developmental disabilities. She has led or contributed to numerous longitudinal studies, including the Early Home Learning Study (EHLS) and the Footprints in Time study of Indigenous children. She serves as an editor for journals like the International Journal of Early Childhood and has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.

Her work emphasizes evidence-based practices in early childhood education, particularly in supported playgroups and sexual abuse prevention programs. Notable contributions include evaluating parenting programs' impact on child outcomes and exploring the socio-emotional well-being of children with disabilities. Dr. Berthelsen collaborates with government bodies like the Victorian Department of Education and the Parenting Research Centre, ensuring her research informs policy and practice nationally.

Her recent projects include analyzing screen time behaviors in children and the role of sleep in self-regulation. She is also recognized for her editorial leadership in advancing early childhood research and pedagogy through international collaborations.