Vicki Christopher

Vicki Christopher is a Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), specializing in Early Childhood Education. She teaches courses such as ECA2100, ECF1100, and EDE2201, with a focus on play pedagogies, creativity, and the arts in early childhood. Her research emphasizes natural learning environments, social justice, and child voice, advocating for children’s meaningful participation in decision-making. She has over 10 years of tertiary teaching experience and is a PhD Candidate investigating children’s experiences in natural environments.

Education:

• Bachelor of Human Services (Honours), Griffith University (2013)
• Master of Leadership and Administration, USQ (2014)

Research Interests: Vicki’s work bridges early childhood education with environmental sustainability and social justice. She explores how natural environments foster learning, advocates for equitable educational practices in rural areas, and develops methodologies to amplify children’s voices in research and policy. Her projects include a focus on nature immersion programs and the role of play in fostering creativity and critical thinking.

Publications & Awards: Her recent work includes peer-reviewed articles on educator perceptions of social justice in rural early childhood settings and a grant-funded study on nature play documentation. She has presented at international conferences like ICSEI and ICERI.

Professional Involvement:

• Director, Secretariat, and Communications Officer at OMEP Australia (World Organisation for Early Childhood Education)
• Board Member of the Australian Forest School Association
• Member of Early Childhood Australia and the Australian Association for Environmental Education

Advocacy & Grants: Vicki leads projects promoting nature-based learning and has secured grants like the OMEP Australia Project Grant. Her work aligns with global Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing education’s role in environmental and social equity.