ProfessorMarianne Fenech

Current and Completed Research Projects

2024-2027. ARC Discovery DP240100249. Teachers in early education (TEE):Attracting, preparing, retaining, and sustaining quality early childhood teachers in Australia. Fenech, M., Wong, S., Gibson, M., Garvis, S., Boyd, W., Durksen, T. & Janus, M. $664,259.

2023. Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.Teachers in early education (TEE): An innovative approach to assessing and supporting early childhood teaching quality.Fenech, M., Wong, S., & Fleer, M. $9000.

2020-2023. NSW Department of Education and Training Strategic Research Grant. Listening carefully: Engaging families in early childhood education in the context of disadvantage. Skattebol, J., Blaxland, M., Fenech, M., Woodrow, C., Jones, A. & Newton, B.J. $149,899.52

2020-2024. ARC Linkage LP180100142. Skattebol, J., Blaxland, M., Newton, BJ., Press, F., Fenech, M., Woodrow, C., Spall, P. & Markham, P. Engagement in early childhood education in the context of disadvantage. $399,000.

2019-2020. Faculty Research Support Scheme, 'Exploring the efficacy of early childhood teacher (ECT) registration' ($6,091). Fenech, M & Watt, H.

2013-2017. ARC Linkage LP130100129. What’s best for my child? Parents’ perspectives of childcare quality and early learning as contributors to childcare choice. Fenech, M., Degotardi, S. & Sweller, N. $163,000.

2008-2010. ARC Discovery DP0881729. A multi-modal investigation of current and proposed structures and processes determining and sustaining quality in Australian centre-based childcare. Harrison, L., Press, F., Sumsion, J., Bowes, J., Fenech, M. (ARC Postdoctoral Fellowship). $257,196.

Supervision

PhD, Current students

1.              Dickerson, M. (2022 – Current). Exercising emotional labour when working with families: Implications for early childhood educators’ wellbeing. Lead supervisor.

2.              Zhou, A. (2024 – Current). Early childhood teachers’ perception of professional autonomy: Implications for teacher retention and professional practice. Lead supervisor.

3.              Bedford-Rolleston, L. (2024 – Current). The ‘what’, ‘when’, ‘where’ and ‘how’ of implementing trauma aware practices in early childhood services in NSW: A cross-case action research enquiry. Lead supervisor.

4.             Wright, K. (2024 – Current). Investigating the translation of disability equity education to Australian early childhood education. Lead supervisor.

 PhD, Completed students

5.              Tao, X. (2020). “I want the whole world to be musical”: The role of the Arts in preschool education music curriculum in Australia v. China. Associate Supervisor.

6.              Phillips, A. (2020). An investigation of long day care services in Australia that are Exceeding the National Quality Standard. Principal Supervisor.

Master, Completed students

7.              Ma, S. (Melody). (MPhil). (2022). An international comparative analysis of early childhood systems of regulation and quality assurance. Principal Supervisor.

8.              Gide, S. (MED[Res]). (2017). An exploration of leadership in high quality early childhood education services. Principal Supervisor.

9.              Velez, A. (MRES). (2014). Developing early childhood advocates: The role of teacher preparation programs in NSW. (2014). Principal Supervisor.

10.          Mackenzie, M. (MECH). (2012). Case study of the inclusion of a child with Autism in to mainstream childcare: Beyond integration. Principal Supervisor.

Bachelor of Education Honours, Completed students

11.          Ou, J. (2022). Promoting Australia’s supply of early childhood teachers? Understanding international preservice early childhood teachers’ career motivations and aspirations.

12.        Zhou, A. (2020). The role and influence of educational leaders in centres rated as providing high quality early childhood educational programs.

13.          Pucar, M. (2020). Quality ratings outside of the assessment and rating period.

14.          Togher, M. (2018). Assessing the influence of a Working Towards Quality Rating on professional practice.

15.          King, S. (2017). Perceptions of early childhood teacher accreditation. Moving us forward or back? (2017).

16.          Beutler, D. (2016). The utility of Bacchi’s methodology to analyse social policy: The Australian Government’s Child Care Assistance Package. 

17.          McGee, F. (2015). Directors’ perspectives and experiences of the National Quality Framework Assessment and Ratings process.