Invited Panel
A highlight of the conference will be a panel discussion on inclusion and engagement with diverse communities. The panel will feature contributions from ECE practitioners and researchers who will share their expertise in the following focus areas:
- Family diversity and LGBTQI+ communities – Dr Kathy Cloughessy
- Inclusive Education and Disability – Dr Kathy Cologon
- Cultural and linguistically diverse communities - Akram Eshaghi
- Aboriginal Communities – Moniqui McAuley
Dr Kathy Cloughessy
Dr Kathy Cloughessy has worked as a social worker and early childhood teacher. She completed her PhD on the topic of Silence is not golden: Exploring the experiences of lesbian parents in Australian Early Childhood settings under the supportive care of Professor Manjula Waniganayake. Kathy is committed to educational spaces being places that recognise, value and celebrate diversity and inclusion.
Dr Kathy Cologon
Dr Kathy Cologon is Principal Consultant at Toward Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and honorary senior lecturer at Macquarie University. Her work focuses on facilitating opportunities for all children to thrive as valued community members. This involves challenging normative and deficit views, while engaging with practical issues of children's rights and inclusion. Kathy is nationally and internationally renowned for her work in inclusive education and disability studies.
Dr Kathy Cologon
Dr Kathy Cologon is Principal Consultant at Toward Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and honorary senior lecturer at Macquarie University. Her work focuses on facilitating opportunities for all children to thrive as valued community members. This involves challenging normative and deficit views, while engaging with practical issues of children's rights and inclusion. Kathy is nationally and internationally renowned for her work in inclusive education and disability studies.
Akram Eshaghi
Akram Eshaghi is completing her Master of Research at Macquarie University, where she also earned her Master of Educational Leadership. Akram is passionate about fostering leadership skills and continuous professional learning for early childhood educators. As a service director, Akram practices leadership in her workplace and is dedicated to empowering educators to provide high-quality education and care through mentorship, professional development, and collaborative learning communities.
Moniqui McAuley
Moniqui McAuley lives on and with Bundjalung Jugun (Country), and is a mum, wife, sister, one of six daughters, granddaughter, niece, and cousin. Her convict bloodlines connect her to Scottish and Irish heritages and she has family connections to Darkinjung people and Country. Moniqui works as an Inclusion Professional, is connected with the Play N Yarn Gummyaney Community in Grafton and is completing a Master of Education (Early Childhood) degree at Macquarie University.
Moniqui McAuley
Moniqui McAuley lives on and with Bundjalung Jugun (Country), and is a mum, wife, sister, one of six daughters, granddaughter, niece, and cousin. Her convict bloodlines connect her to Scottish and Irish heritages and she has family connections to Darkinjung people and Country. Moniqui works as an Inclusion Professional, is connected with the Play N Yarn Gummyaney Community in Grafton and is completing a Master of Education (Early Childhood) degree at Macquarie University.
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