Sheena’s research interests in the field of ECE are driven by a concern that all children, regardless of circumstances, warrant the best possible opportunities to thrive—personally, socially, emotionally, and educationally. The work she engages with is diverse as it is driven by her strong collaborative relationships with national and international multi-university and multi-disciplinary teams, specialist organisations and practitioners, and government and non-government organisations. This work develops critical transdisciplinarity that is: responsive to context-specific issues; transcends and integrates different disciplines; involves multiple stakeholders; and produces applicable, useful and practical outcomes. Her current research projects are creatively and collaboratively designed to promote research innovation and co-production of knowledge with stakeholders, with the aim of providing young children with high quality teaching and learning EC spaces.

Sheena specialises in qualitative research approaches and has considerable experience with mixed-method research approaches in large-scale research projects. She has a sustained interest in using philosophy, particularly Merleau-Ponty’s philosophy and his phenomenological method, as a resource and catalyst for critically engaging with taken-for-granted concepts and methodologies in research concerning young children.

Sheena is skilled in a large range of methods and associated qualitative and quantitative analysis including:

• Development and facilitation of large Delphi Panels involving key stakeholders
• Observation and development of observation coding systems
• Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) Infant and CLASS-Toddler
• Survey design and implementation
• Visual methods, including baby-cam, Go-Pro cameras, tripod cameras, and child camera-tours
• Interview design and implementation
• Time-use Diaries
• Language Inventories
• Temperament and personality questionnaires
• Assessment tool design and implementation

Research Awards

• Charles Sturt University Faculty of Education Stipend – 6 month full-time stipend
• Excellence in Research in Early Childhood: Collaborative Research Network Australian Postgraduate Award Stipend – 1 year full-time stipend
• Australian Postgraduate Award Industry (funded by KU Children’s Services & Family Day Care Australia)– 3 year full-time stipend

Research Grants

• Harrison, L., Wong, S., Williams, K., Elwick, S., Bull, R., Degotardi, S., Davis, B., Humburg, P., & Janus, M. (2023-2025). Observe, Reflect, Improve: a tool to enrich Children’s Learning (ORICL). (LP210301171). Australian Research Council Linkage Grant. Partner Organisations: KU Children’s Services; Goodstart Early Learning; SDN Children’s Services; Gowrie NSW; Liverpool City Council; Blacktown City Council; Northside Community Service; Family Day Care Australia; The Creche and Kindergarten Association; Early Childhood Australia. See https://oricl.org/
• Harrison, L., Wong, S., Degotardi, S., Bull, R., Davis, R., Ballsun-Stanton, B., Alexander, W., Williams, K., & Elwick, S. (2022). Observe, Reflect, a tool to enrich Children’s Learning (ORICL). Forest Hill Grant.
• Harrison, L., Wong, S., Degotardi, S., Bull, R., Davis, R., Ballsun-Stanton, B., Alexander, W., Williams, K., &Elwick, S. (2021). Observe, Reflect, a tool to enrich Children’s Learning (ORICL). (MQSN 21). Macquarie University SafetyNet Funding.
• Harrison, L., Elwick, S., Davis, B., Bull, R. & Wong, S. (2021). Video resources to support professional learning on formative assessment. NSW Department of Education.
• Elwick, S. Consortium Member. (2021-2022). National Quality Framework Approved Learning Frameworks Update. Australian Children’s Education and Care Authority (ACECQA). https://www.mq.edu.au/faculty-of-arts/departments-and-schools/macquarie-school-of-education/our-research/research-groups/approved-learning-frameworks-update
• Elwick, S. (2019). Age matters: Age composition in ECE. Faculty of Arts and Education Grant Development Scheme Grant.
• Harrison, L., Bull, R., Wong, S., Elwick, S. & Davies, B. (2019). NSW Preschool Assessment Study: Review of Formative Assessment Practices in Early Childhood Settings. NSW Department of Education.
• McFarland, L., & Elwick, S. (2018). Piloting of the ORICL (Observing, Reflecting and Improving Children's Learning) Tool. Faculty of Arts and Education Grant Development Scheme Grant.
• Elwick, S., & Spalding, N. (2017). Supporting Family Day Care educators to notice and cultivate the mathematics in young children’s explorations, play, and talk. Faculty of Arts and Education Research Income and Initiatives Grant.
• Macmillan, A., & Elwick, S. (2003). The impact of systemic reforms on primary school numeracy classroom practices in the Albury/Wodonga region. Charles Sturt University RIPPLE Seed Grant.

Teaching

Sheena currently teaches in the Bachelor of Education (Birth to Five Years). She has previously taught in the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary), the Bachelor of Education (K-12) and the Graduate Certificate in Arts and Social Science Research.

Higher Degree Research (HDR) Student Supervision

Charles Sturt Committees and Leadership Roles

• Education Specialist – Charles Sturt University Human Research Ethics Committee
• Member - School of Education Awards and Prizes Committee

National and Local leadership Roles

• Convenor - Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) Qualitative Research Methodologies Special Interest Group
• Facilitator – The Thinking Space
• Facilitator – Reclaiming the Early Years

Professional Membership

• Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE)
• Early Childhood Australia (ECA)
• Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY)

Peer reviewer for:

• Australian Research Council
• International Journal of Research & Method in Education
• Educational Philosophy and Theory
• Australasian Journal of Early Childhood
• Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood
• International Journal of Early Childhood
• Mathematics Teacher Education and Development
• Journal of Early Childhood Education Research
• Cengage Learning Ltd.
• Springer
• Bentham Science Publishers
• Research Methods in Social Science Inquiry

View publications in CRO