Dr Alison Lord is a senior lecturer in Early Childhood Education whose work focuses on preparing confident and reflective early childhood teachers for contemporary prior-to-school practice. Alison teaches and supervises the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood), supporting students to connect theory, research and professional experience in meaningful ways. She also manages the Federation Online partnership for the Institute of Education, Arts and Communities as the Partner Academic Lead. 

Alison’s teaching draws on extensive experience in early years education, with a strong emphasis on play-based learning, inclusive education and ethical practice in early childhood settings. She is particularly interested in how pre-service teachers develop professional identity and confidence during practicum and early career transitions. Her work supports educators to respond thoughtfully to the diverse needs of children, families and communities.  

Alison’s research interests include early childhood teacher education, professional learning, reflective practice, and quality improvement in early learning environments. She is committed to research that informs practice and strengthens outcomes for children from birth to eight years. Her work is especially relevant to those studying early childhood education, teacher education and the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood).  

Alison values collaborative research and supervision and enjoys working with postgraduate students who are exploring practice-based research in early years contexts. She is passionate about strengthening the early childhood workforce through evidence-informed teaching and mentoring.