Leading research; leading practice
Early Childhood Australia (ECA) is pleased to announce the 2025 AJEC Research Symposium, Leading research; leading practice, will convene in-person on 1 October 2025 at Edith Cowan University in Perth, WA.
We invite early childhood practitioners, researchers, leaders, academics and students to exchange ideas, innovative research methodologies and findings. The symposium will also discuss the latest research and pedagogical practice from the longest-running and most highly regarded academic journal produced by ECA, the Australasian Journal of Early Childhood (AJEC).
The 2025 AJEC Research Symposium will include:
- a keynote discussion based on the theme of Leading research; leading practice
- roundtable discussions—sharing and debating research evidence, theoretical perspectives and methods
- provocation presentations—presentations showcasing innovative theoretical or methodological perspectives.
The Australasian Journal of Early Childhood (AJEC) is Australasia’s foremost scholarly journal and the world’s longest-running major journal within the early childhood field. Published quarterly, AJEC offers research-based articles that are designed to impart new information and encourage the critical exchange of ideas among early childhood practitioners, academics and students.
Contributions to the 2025 AJEC Research Symposium are invited that address two overarching research questions focusing on leading research leading practice:
- How does research support the development of evidence-based practices that lead to improved outcomes for children and families?
- What strategies support sustained implementation fidelity of evidence-based practice in early childhood settings?
Through the theme of ‘Leading research; leading practice’, we invite researchers, policymakers and early years professionals to consider how research, theories, practices and methodologies are designed and enacted to address these questions within the following streams:
- Innovating to lead and leading to innovate
- Advancing equity within programs and practice
- Strength in unity; power in collaboration
- Policy.
We welcome early childhood researchers and workforce professionals engaging with young children, their families, communities, educators and allied professionals to participate and come together to share cutting-edge knowledge and forge research networks in Australasia and beyond.
Date
| Date | Time |
| 1 October 2025 | 8.45 am–4.10 pm AWST |
Registration to the 2025 AJEC Research Symposium will open soon
ECA members receive a discount. To sign up as a member of ECA click here.
To receive updates regarding the 2025 AJEC Research Symposium, subscribe to the ECA Events Newsletter.
Applications to present
Applications to present at the 2025 AJEC Research Symposium will open soon.
To receive updates regarding the 2025 AJEC Research Symposium, subscribe to the ECA Events Newsletter.
About AJEC
The Australasian Journal of Early Childhood (AJEC) is Australasia’s foremost scholarly journal and the world’s longest-running major journal within the early childhood field. Published quarterly, AJEC offers evidence-based articles that are designed to impart new information and encourage the critical exchange of ideas among early childhood practitioners, academics and students.
ECA provides AJEC to subscribers both in hardcopy and online. An online annex offering even more articles, is also available for subscribers. Click here for more information on AJEC.
Testimonials from previous AJEC Research Symposium attendees
‘I have attended every AJEC symposium. I find the events an excellent place to disseminate own research as well as hear from others – I enjoy that it is a spread of HDR, ECR, senior academics and policy makers presenting.’
‘A rich two days of research dissemination and dialogue. The evidence base for high quality education and care continues to grow through meaningful contemporary research.’
‘The provocations were so rich and insightful. It was my favourite part of the symposium.’
Terms and Conditions
Click here to view the AJEC Symposium terms and conditions.
AJEC venue partner – Expression of interest
To express your interest in partnering with ECA to host the next in-person AJEC Research Symposium, please complete the expression of interest form and return it to events@earlychildhood.org.au.
