Listening to children’s voices

Have you ever wondered what it might look like to uphold children’s communication rights by listening to their voices about social issues? In this seminar, you will hear about some of the ground-breaking methods our multi-disciplinary researchers have used to seek and listen to children’s voices.

You will learn about the types of issues on which children’s voices can be sought as well as ways of using arts-informed practice to empower children to share their experiences. Methods covered in this session can be used by teachers working in early childhood right through to senior school education.

Facilitators:

Distinguished Professor Sharynne McLeod is the Director of Charles Sturt University’s Children’s Voices Centre. She is recognised as Australia's Research Field Leader in Audiology, Speech and Language Pathology and was named the best in the world in 2019 and 2023. Sharynne’s research activities emphasise the communication rights of children, advocating at the United Nations and providing expertise to the World Health Organization.

Associate Professor Tamara Cumming is an Associate Director of the Children’s Voices Centre. Her research focuses on the wellbeing and sustainability of Australia' early childhood workforce, and ways workforce and policy can support children’s communication rights.