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MrsElspeth Stephenson

Senior Lecturer in Education - Professional Learning

Education

Orcid identifier0000-0001-7264-4591 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Senior Lecturer in Education - Professional Learning
    Education
  • +61 3 6324 3048 (Fax)
  • +61 3 6324 3680 (Work)
  • Faculty of Education, Education, A233b Building A, Newnham Campus, TAS

RESEARCH SUMMARy

Expertise

Elspeth’s research interests lie in children’s rights and most specifically the impact of early adversity. Her research seeks to understand how best to support all those who live and work with vulnerable children and families. She partners with academics nationally and internationally, educators in early years, primary and secondary settings, and school leaders. In addition to work in education, Elspeth’s work is transdisciplinary where she also partners with professionals from several fields outside of education, as well as not for profit organisations to create sustainable organisational change. Her research seeks to influence practice and policy. Her research reports have informed local council initiatives whilst her recommendations have been tabled in federal parliament. Over the last year she has been researching her own work exploring how best to equip all education graduates leaving UTAS with an understanding of complex trauma so that they are ready and able to support all learners.

Areas of research expertise:

Trauma Informed Practice
Professional learning for sustainable change
Wellbeing

 

In addition to projects listed under funded research grants, I have successfully delivered these externally funded projects:

 

Department of Education  "Supporting students impacted by trauma" Carrington, V., Martin, K., Stephenson, E...  $897,600 2021-2022

                             

Inclusion Services "Mentoring on the floor: Walking alongside early career educators" Stephenson, E. $3,000 2019

 

Ravenswood Neighbourhood House "Building connections to support community Resilience" Stephenson, E. $5,000 2019

                                        

FUNDED PROJECTS

  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Trust-based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Professional Learning (PL) Participant perceptions and evaluations (Gowrie/Inclusion Agency)
    1 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2023
    People funded by this grant:
    • Stephenson E,
    • Hicks D,
    • McCarthy R
    Project Total: $30,688; This study aims to investigate the effectiveness and impact of Professional Learning (PL) in early childhood settings over a twelve-month period, relative to Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). Data will be gathered via Surveys, administered at the conclusion of PL sessions and through focus group zoom meetings. In addition, Participant beliefs and attitudes in relation to the impact of trauma will be gathered three times and mapped across the course of the study. Funded by: Early Childhood Australia - Tasmanian branch ($30,688); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Derwent Valley Child and Family Centre - Development of Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Community of Practice
    Derwent Valley Child and Family Centre1 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Stephenson E,
    • McCarthy R
    Project Total: $5,474; The aim of this project is to provide Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) training for all staff members at the Derwent Valley Child and Family Centre. Funded by: Derwent Valley Child and Family Centre ($5,474); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Save the Children - Development of Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Community of Practice
    Save the Children Australia1 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Stephenson E
    Project Total: $2,990; The aim of this small consultancy is to maintain existing industry partner relationships. Following on from a contract research project completed in 2019, the aim of this project is to build capacity of new staff and further develop the skills of existing staff within STC in relation to TBRI. As such, it has two parts: 1. 2x2 hour TBRI training will be provided for staff who have been appointed at Save the Children (STC) since TBRI was implemented state-wide in 2019. The training will take place on-line to enable staff to attend regardless of their location. 2. 2x2 hour on-line Community of Practice sessions will be provided for all staff to support continuing implementation of TBRI at STC. Funded by: Save the Children Australia ($2,990); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Trauma Informed Practice Short Course: Initial Delivery on Business to Business Basis
    Department for Education, Children and Young People1 Jan 2020 - 31 Dec 2020
    People funded by this grant:
    • Stephenson E,
    • Yost H
    Project Total: $15,000; Providing online staff training for Working Together Supporting Early Years, Department of Education (DoE). The project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of online delivery. A Qualtrics evaluation tool will be used to gather participants' perceptions at the end of the professional learning (PL). Participation in the survey is entirely voluntary. Information gathered from participants will be used to inform subsequent delivery and content. Funded by: Department for Education, Children and Young People ($15,000); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Professional Learning (PL): Participant Perceptions and Evaluations (Wynyard High School)
    The Smith Family1 Jan 2020 - 31 Dec 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Stephenson E,
    • Yost H,
    • Hicks D
    Project Total: $54,545; This project will involve providing TBRI training for Wynyard High School on behalf of The Smith Family, with a focus on Year 7 students - additional schools may be invited to join the training. The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of professional learning which centres on TBRI for professionals employed at Wynyard High School. We are also investigating how effective is TBRI in supporting growth and development of children aged 11-12 years. A Qualtrix evaluation tool will be used to gather perceptions at the conclusion of PL sessions, and a computer-generated survey along with qualitative data to inform the evaluations. Funded by: The Smith Family ($54,545); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Trauma Informed Practice workshop and coaching
    Devonport Child Care Centres Inc1 Jan 2019 - 31 Dec 2019
    People funded by this grant:
    • Stephenson E,
    • Yost H
    Project Total: $3,120; Delivery of Trauma Informed Practice workshop and coaching sessions to staff and clients at Elanora Children's Centre, Devonport. Funded by: Devonport Child Care Centres Inc ($3,120); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Trust-based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Professional Learning (PL): Building Communities of Practice (CoPs)
    Save the Children Australia1 Jan 2019 - 31 Dec 2020
    People funded by this grant:
    • Stephenson E,
    • Yost H
    Project Total: $35,503; This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of Professional Learning (PL) workshops and reflective CoPs with allied health professionals, relative to Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). A Qualtrix evaluation tool will be used to gather evaluations at the end of each PL session. Further Qualtrix surveys will be used 3, 6 and 9 months after the completion of the first PL to investigate impact of the PL on teacher practices. In addition to this, voice recorded responses to interview questions will be used at the end of each COP session to document participant's learning journeys. Funded by: Save the Children Australia ($35,503); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Trust-based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Professional Learning (PL): Participant perceptions and evaluations
    George Town Child and Family Centre1 Jan 2019 - 31 Dec 2019
    People funded by this grant:
    • Stephenson E,
    • Yost H
    Project Total: $5,052; This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of Professional Learning (PL) in early childhood settings, relative to Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). A Qualtrix evaluation tool will be used to gather evaluations at the conclusion of PL sessions. Further Qualtrix surveys will be used 3, 6 and 12 months after the completion of the PL to investigate impact of the PL on teacher practices. Funded by: George Town Child and Family Centre ($5,052); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Improved educational engagement for children with special health care needs (SHCN): testing the user friendliness and validity of instruments for children with SHCN
    28 Jul 2018 - 31 Dec 2018
    People funded by this grant:
    • Jose K,
    • Abbott-Chapman J,
    • Stephenson E
    Project Total: $12,000; The project aims to generate an enhanced understanding of educational engagement for children and young people with SHCN with both theoretical and practical outcomes. Funded by: University of Tasmania - Creativity, Culture & Society Research Development; University of Tasmania ($12,000).
  • GRANT
    Reducing the impact of intergenerational trauma through collaborative learning. Pilot Study.
    University of Tasmania1 Jun 2018 - 30 Jun 2019
    People funded by this grant:
    • Stephenson E,
    • Stanford S,
    • Yost H,
    • Hay J,
    • Frey R
    Project Total: $10,000; This pilot project asks What effect does a collaborative approach to learning have on reducing the impact of intergenerational trauma?, to explore how Early Childhood Educators, Social Workers and Health Professionals (professionals) collaborate to develop parental capacity for connection, felt-safety and self-regulation, and how these can be applied by both parent and professional when caring for the child. A Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) approach (Purvis et al., 2013) will be piloted in the Ravenswood Child and Family Centre where the impact of intergenerational trauma is recognised. Professionals and parents will be paired to work together in a weekly group situation to learn how to develop the skills identified as critical to the relationship. A mixed-methods approach will be used to analyse the learning journey of each participant. A focus on personal skill development, and evidence of the impact of this learning on the children in their care will inform the research question, and planning for an external research proposal to develop future training approaches (Razuri et al., 2016). Funded by: University of Tasmania - Grant-CAL Hothouse Research Enhancement Program; University of Tasmania ($10,000).
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Trust-based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Professional Learning (PL): Participant perceptions and evaluations
    Department of Education Tasmania, con1 Jan 2018 - 31 Dec 2018
    People funded by this grant:
    • Stephenson E,
    • Yost H
    Project Total: $2,076; This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of Professional Learning (PL) in early childhood settings, relative to Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). A Qualtrix evaluation tool will be used to gather evaluations at the conclusion of PL sessions. Further Qualtrix surveys will be used 3, 6 and 12 months after the completion of the PL to investigate impact of the PL on teacher practices. Funded by: Department of Education Tasmania, con ($2,076); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Developing a collaborative model to de-privatise and sustain best practice for teachers
    East Launceston Primary School1 Jan 2014 - 1 Dec 2015
    People funded by this grant:
    • Stephenson E
    Project Total: $6,000; The aims of this Action Research study are to explore the effectiveness of a collaborative model being implemented in a State Primary School Grade 3 classroom. The outcomes will inform ways in which schools can be organised to maximise outcomes for all stakeholders. Funded by: East Launceston Primary School ($6,000); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Making Launceston a Child Friendly City: What do children think?
    Anglicare Tasmania1 Jan 2013 - 30 Jun 2014
    People funded by this grant:
    • Stephenson E,
    • Rayner C,
    • Nailon D,
    • Trimble A,
    • Emery S
    Project Total: $5,000; Funded by: Anglicare Tasmania ($5,000); University of Tasmania.