Associate ProfessorAnna Kilderry

Acting Associate Head of School, International and Engagement

Associate Professor in Education (Early Childhood)

In her role as acting Associate Head of School, International and Engagement, Anna facilitates partnerships, within Australia and internationally, between Deakin University and education institutions, governments, and other organisations that share the University's values and goals. She advances Deakin’s reputation as a leader in education and research, ensuring excellence, ethical practice and equity, with the aim of delivering impact locally and globally.  Building on her long-standing interest in human research ethics and integrity, Anna served as Chair and Deputy Chair of Deakin University's Human Research Ethics Committee (DUHREC) from 2021-2025 and as Chair and Deputy Chair of the Faculty of Arts and Education’s Human Ethics Advisory Group (HEAG) from 2017-2021.

Anna has worked in higher education for 27 years, in Australia and the United Kingdom, as a qualitative researcher and teacher educator. Anna’s passion for early childhood education has led her to research early childhood curriculum and policy, early years transitions, family-school partnerships, and critical ways of thinking and knowing about teacher practice. Anna’s research findings have been disseminated through various publications, including her co-edited book Strong Foundations: Evidence Informing Practice in Early Childhood, chapters in international books, and articles in prestigious academic journals, such as the Journal of Education Policy and Journal of Curriculum Studies. Anna's research has been cited widely in international journals and books, and in government and intergovernmental publications, including the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and the OECD’s Starting Strong II: Early Childhood Education and Care.

In research and consulting roles, Anna co-developed and conducted a trial of a Transition to School Statement for the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities and led the practice review, Supporting Children and Families at Risk of Experiencing Vulnerability in Early Years Transitions, for the Victorian Department of Education. In addition to her own research activities, Anna has supervised ten doctoral students to completion and currently supervises several PhD candidates whose research topics include: early childhood teaching and professional learning; curriculum; transition to school; family school partnerships; diverse childhoods; children’s dramatic play; and educational leadership.