Abstract
In this Editorial we celebrate the research contributions from the 2023 AJEC Research Symposium, in a Special Issue shared across the first two issues for 2024. We also farewell the outgoing AJEC Editor 2020–2023 Professor Susan Edwards and welcome the incoming AJEC Editor 2024-2027 Professor Susanne Garvis.
The 2023 AJEC Research Symposium focused on Early childhood knowledges, generations and time where early childhood practitioners, researchers, leaders, academics and students came together to share and discuss ideas, innovations and findings. Across the two days, important insights were shown across the streams of transforming and transitioning, knowing people, places and things and being, living and learning. Across the streams, the voices of children, families, communities, educators and allied professionals were shared and presented to celebrate the important knowledge of education and care of young children.
Such was the depth of research at the 2023 AJEC Research Symposium that the first two issues of AJEC for 2024 comprised a dedicated Special Issue.
In this first 2023 AJEC Research Symposium Special Issue, the articles highlight the important elements of knowledge and time. In the paper by Harrison et al., the annual target of 600 hours attendance in Australia was explored in areas of socio-economic disadvantage. Questions around what knowledge is valued and the different types of knowledge positioning is presented in two different examples of practice presented by Grieshaber et al. From New Zealand, inquiry based learning and how this supports wellbeing and the sustained focus for both children and teachers is explored, allowing pathways for early childhood teachers to enact rich bi-cultural practices (paper from Probine et al.). The notion of joy experienced by early childhood educators is presented by Little and Karaolis, with calls to validate joy as central to early childhood education. From Gibbs et al., initiatives supporting student retention in early childhood teacher education programs are shared, showing how to support future workforce quality and supply. Understanding current workplace and reform discourses are also presented in the paper by Armstrong, addressing issues related to the uptake of reform initiatives.
As the journal enters a new year, we also farewell outgoing Editor Professor Edwards and welcome incoming Editor Professor Garvis. It is a privledge to serve as Editor on the AJEC journal. Susan gives thanks to the support of the AJEC Committee, Early Childhood Australia, writers and contributors to the journal and not the least those researchers and scholars who commit to supporting the process of peer review. Special thanks to AJEC Deputy Editors Dr. Claire Blewitt, Dr. Tamara Cumming and Dr. Laura McFarland with whom it has been such a joy to work. Also, to Editorial Assistants Dr. Victoria Minson and Dr. Sarah Young for beautifully sustained attention to detail. Welcome to the incoming Editor Professor Susanne Garvis, and new members of the AJEC Committee and Editorial team. We look forward to the continued commitment to supporting and improving the lives, education, health and wellbeing of young children through innovative research and design across a wide range of disciplines.
AJEC provides a strong focus on bringing together innovative early childhood education research. We hope to continue this advocacy and support all young children, their families and professionals.