Susan Edwards

Professor Susan Edwards serves as Research Director of the Early Childhood Futures program and Head of Discipline for Early Childhood within the Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education at Australian Catholic University's Faculty of Education and Arts. As a full HDR Supervisor, she leads groundbreaking research on digital technologies in early childhood education and care (ECEC), focusing on how young children interact with digital environments and how educators can best support safe, effective technology integration.

Professor Edwards' research interests span early childhood education and care curriculum development, play-based learning, wellbeing and sustainability education, and digital play pedagogies. Her work specifically addresses how digital media and popular culture intersect with early childhood education, with growing emphasis on artificial intelligence applications for ECEC. She investigates philosophical questions about technology in education while developing practical frameworks for implementing digital safety education and enhancing adult capabilities regarding children's digital experiences.

Her recent publications reveal a clear trajectory toward understanding the intersection of digital technologies and early childhood development, with particular focus on online safety education, digital play pedagogies, and AI applications. The research demonstrates increasing sophistication in addressing how digital environments shape young children's learning experiences while maintaining attention to traditional play elements. Her work consistently emphasizes participatory design approaches that involve children, families, and educators in developing appropriate digital tools and safety frameworks.

• 2023 Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Research with Impact Award (Team)
• 2020 Australian Catholic University, Vice Chancellor's Awards for Staff Excellence – Excellence in Research and Research Partnerships (Team)
• 2018 Australian Catholic University, Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education Research Award for Early Career Research Mentoring
• 2010 Monash University, Teaching and Learning Lead Fellowship

Professor Edwards has secured significant research funding through multiple Australian Research Council projects, including the current ARC Discovery Project 'Artificial Intelligence for the Early Years' (2025-2028) with $929,000 in funding. She serves as Associate Investigator for the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child (2020-2027) and leads the 'Young Children in Digital Society' ARC Linkage Project. Her research collaborations extend across multiple Australian universities and involve partnerships with government agencies including the Office of eSafety Commissioner and the Australian Federal Police.

As Program Director of Digital Foundations and through her leadership of the Early Childhood Futures research program, Professor Edwards directs a comprehensive research ecosystem focused on understanding and improving digital experiences for young children. Her work with Playgroup Australia and the Early Childhood Australia Digital Policy Group has established national frameworks for digital technology use in early childhood settings, while her editorial roles at the Australasian Journal of Early Childhood have significantly elevated the journal's impact factor.