Libbey Elizabeth Murray

Associate Professor Libbey Elizabeth Murray is a prominent academic in the School of Education at Charles Sturt University, where she has taught on the Dubbo campus since 2008. She serves as Academic Program Lead for both the Collaborative Teacher's Aide Pathway (CTAP) and the Grow Your Own Teacher Training program, while also leading the university's Wellbeing and Mental Health Research Group and co-leading the Early Childhood Interdisciplinary Research Group.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) with First Class Honors and a Doctor of Philosophy from Charles Sturt University, following prior experience teaching in Central West New South Wales primary schools. She maintains active professional memberships including the CSU Excellence in Research in Early Years Education Collaborative Research Network, Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education (RIPPLE), Australian Research Alliance for Young Children and Youth, and the Australian Association for Research in Education.

Murray's research centers on children's social-emotional development during educational transitions, with particular emphasis on teacher-child relationships, school readiness, child stress/anxiety, and parent-teacher communication. She employs both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, notably using children's drawings to examine relationships and experiences. Her recent work focuses on teacher support staff transitioning to teaching roles and wellbeing in educational contexts.

Her publication portfolio shows consistent output since 2004, with significant recent contributions in 2023-2024 including edited volumes, interdisciplinary drawing studies, and SDG-focused research. Key thematic areas across her work include children's perspectives on schooling, transition challenges, and visual research methodologies.

Scientific Recognition:

• Charles Sturt University Excellence Award (2022)
• Charles Sturt Excellence Awards: Research (2023)
• Multiple competitive grants for teacher pathway programs (2022-2024)

Murray actively supervises research and has secured substantial funding for projects addressing teacher shortages, including the $4.3 million FutureTeach program. Her work connects to UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 4 (Quality Education), particularly through initiatives supporting regional teacher pipelines and children's mental health. She collaborates extensively with international researchers through projects like the Children Draw Talking initiative spanning 24 countries.