DrNicole Downes

Aligned with Deakin University's Deakin 2030: Ideas to Impact strategic vision, Dr Nicole Downes' research contributes to the themes of Building Safe and Secure Communities and Improving Health and Wellbeing for the betterment of communities locally, nationally, and globally. Nicole's research interests in child safety and trauma informed practice seeks to create meaningful social impact by strengthening educational systems, enhancing professional practice, and fostering inclusive learning environments that prepare pre-service teachers to meet the diverse learning, wellbeing, and safeguarding needs of contemporary learners. Her research examines how Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programs can develop graduates' confidence and capabilities in trauma-informed, child-safe, and wellbeing-focused practice, ensuring that new teachers enter the profession equipped to support all learners effectively. 

Dr Nicole Downes is engaged in several research projects that explore the implementation and impact of trauma-informed practices across educational settings, examining how teachers, school leaders, and systems can respond effectively to the complex effects of adversity and trauma on learning and development. This work is underpinned by a commitment to translating research into practical strategies that strengthen educator confidence, student engagement, and whole-school wellbeing outcomes. This work aligns with her role as Course Director of Deakin's Graduate Certificate of Education: Trauma Responsive Education and her leadership role in the Deakin Trauma Aware Collective. 

A significant strand of Nicole's research focuses on child safety and wellbeing, including the development of child-safe cultures, safeguarding practices, and educator capabilities that promote the rights, participation, and protection of children and young people. Guided by a commitment to child safety, Nicole expands on her teaching roles and leadership in the development of Deakin's Safer Learners Online Training by working in research teams that explore the impact of child safety training on pre-service teachers' confidence and capacity to keep children safe in education settings. Nicole's research contributes to policy, professional learning, and evidence-informed approaches that support safer educational environments for children.

Dr Nicole Downes also investigates the quality of teacher-child relationships and how they contribute to child and teacher wellbeing. Her research examines the organisational, relational, and professional factors that enable teachers to flourish and sustain effective practice in increasingly complex educational contexts in ways that support the experiences and outcomes of children. 

Within the field of ITE, Dr Nicole Downes has attracted more than $843,861 in research funding and has established a growing track record of leading and collaborating on research partnerships that generate impact across the education sector. Notable projects include the Resilient Classrooms: Educators Leading Change Through Trauma-Informed Practices initiative funded by the Thyne Reid Foundation ($225,000), the Transition to University project ($96,195) funded by the Australian Governments Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP), the Victorian Department of Education funded Early Childhood Professional Practice Partnerships project ($463,208) and the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership funded Disability Resources – Teacher Standards project ($59,458). Through these collaborations with government, professional bodies, schools, and community organisations, Nicole's research contributes to improving educational practice, policy, and outcomes for children, families, and educators.