Victoria Sullivan

Dr. Victoria Sullivan is an Adjunct Research Fellow in the School of Education at The University of Queensland. Her research focuses on gender dynamics in early childhood education and care (ECEC), particularly men’s participation, leadership roles, and workforce retention. She holds a PhD from UQ (2022) exploring male educators’ contested roles in ECEC. Sullivan collaborates internationally on studies comparing Australia, Norway, and China regarding men’s career trajectories in ECEC. She has published extensively on gender diversity, workplace inclusion, and educator well-being, contributing to policy discussions on professionalization in childcare sectors. Her work integrates qualitative methodologies like narrative analysis and case studies, addressing systemic challenges in ECEC workforce sustainability.

Key research themes include gendered career motivations, workplace relationships influencing retention, and organizational leadership’s impact on inclusion. Sullivan’s interdisciplinary approach spans education, sociology, and public health, evidenced by her work on cardiovascular health resources post-cancer care. She has presented at international conferences (EECERA, GEA) and contributed to government reports on ECEC workforce strategies. Her current projects examine intersectional factors affecting educator retention and gender equity in caregiving professions.