Dr. Elise Waghorn
Details
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Department: School of Education
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Campus: Bundoora West Australia
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elise.waghorn@rmit.edu.au
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ORCID:
0000-0001-6110-3845
Open to
- Masters Research or PhD student supervision
- Media enquiries
- Join a web conference as a panellist or speaker
- Collaborative projects
- Mentoring (short-term)
About
Elise's extensive background allowed her to approach her research project, exploring the everyday lifeworlds of children in Australia and their connection to policy and educational experiences in Hong Kong and Singapore, with a comprehensive perspective. Furthermore, her teaching endeavors, with a specific focus on early childhood pedagogical practices, have not only supported and influenced children's wellbeing but have also aspiring educators at the tertiary level. Elise has an unwavering dedication to amplifying children's rights and ensuring their voices are heard and respected is a driving force behind her commitment to the field.
Industry experience-
Elise's journey in education spans a rich tapestry of experiences, illustrating her adaptability and proficiency across diverse roles and environments. With a robust foundation of 18 years in the Early Childhood Education Sector, she cultivated a profound commitment to children's rights, contemporary methodologies, and the efficacy of play-based learning approaches.
Transitioning seamlessly into the realm of tertiary education institutions, Elise dedicated 8 years to steering courses and programs, honing her prowess in educational leadership and the art of curriculum development.
One of Elise's notable strengths lies in her adeptness at orchestrating and delivering professional learning opportunities tailored for educators. This underscores her unwavering dedication to fostering continuous growth within the teaching community. Her talent in crafting impactful learning experiences serves as a testament to her tireless efforts in elevating teaching standards and nurturing the professional development of educators.
Beyond her academic endeavors, Elise has actively engaged with the wider public through radio and television appearances, sharing insights on early childhood development and parenting, thus extending her influence and expertise beyond the confines of academia.
Research fields
- 39 Education
- 390302 Early childhood education
- 390105 Environmental education curriculum and pedagogy
- 3902 Education policy, sociology and philosophy
- 390201 Education policy
UN sustainable development goals
- 10 Reduced Inequalities
- 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- 3 Good Health and Well Being
- 4 Quality Education
- 5 Gender Equality
Teaching interests
Dr Elise Waghorn is an experienced early childhood educator and lecturer who brings over 15 years of professional practice into her teaching at RMIT University. She is the Program Manager for the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (GD204) and coordinates/teaches across multiple courses, including TCHE2726 Professional Experience 1, TCHE2727 Professional Experience 2, TCHE2729 Professional Experience 3, and TCHE2730 Professional Experience 4.
Her teaching philosophy is grounded in student-centred, practice-based learning that connects theory with the realities of early childhood settings. She emphasises sensory and play-based pedagogies, inclusive education, and child safety as central themes woven through her teaching. Elise designs and implements innovative resources—such as H5P interactive modules, podcasts, and scenario-based assessments—that prepare pre-service teachers (PSTs) for professional practice and align with national frameworks including the EYLF, VEYLDF, NQS, and AITSL standards.
A hallmark of her teaching is the integration of the RMIT Early Childhood Connect Lab (Pop Lab), an immersive sensory and play-based environment that enhances PSTs’ placement readiness, confidence, and professional identity. The Lab has significantly contributed to improved student outcomes, with program data showing a dramatic reduction in fail rates and greater placement success.
Elise is also committed to mentoring and supporting sessional staff, ensuring teaching quality and consistency across the program. She actively fosters a collaborative and supportive learning culture where students feel prepared, confident, and inspired to become inclusive and resilient educators.
Her teaching impact extends beyond the classroom through community partnerships and professional learning collaborations that connect students with authentic practice-based experiences. She is consistently recognised by students and colleagues for her approachable teaching style, innovative curriculum design, and leadership in embedding sensory-rich, inclusive pedagogies across early childhood teacher education.
Research interests
Dr Elise Waghorn’s research sits at the intersection of early childhood education, teacher education, and sensory/STEAM pedagogies, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, creativity, and professional practice. Her scholarship explores how sensory-rich, play-based, and creative environments can enhance learning outcomes, foster resilience, and support identity formation in both children and pre-service teachers (PSTs).
Her core research interests include:
Sensory Play and Pedagogy
Investigating the role of sensory experiences in children’s learning, wellbeing, and identity development. Elise’s recent scoping review examines how sensory play supports cognitive, social, and emotional growth across diverse contexts, with a particular focus on inclusive practices for children with varying abilities and learning needs.
STEAM Education in Early Childhood
Exploring how integrated approaches to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics can be adapted for early childhood settings. Elise’s work highlights the creative and embodied dimensions of STEAM, positioning sensory-rich learning as central to fostering curiosity, problem-solving, and confidence in young learners.
Inclusive and Sustainable Play Environments
Drawing on creative ecologies and community partnerships, Elise investigates how sensory and loose-parts play environments can support diverse learners, particularly in contexts of social inequity. She is committed to developing practices and resources that foreground accessibility, inclusion, and sustainability in early childhood education.
Teacher Education and Professional Identity
Elise leads research on the preparation and support of pre-service early childhood teachers, examining how interactive resources (e.g., H5P modules, podcasts, scenario libraries) and immersive experiences (e.g., the RMIT Early Childhood Connect Lab/“Pop Lab”) shape PSTs’ confidence, resilience, and child-safety readiness. Her program-level research has demonstrated significant improvements in student outcomes, including reduced fail rates and improved placement success.Children’s Lifeworlds and Policy Connections
Building on her doctoral research, Elise continues to explore how children’s everyday lifeworlds intersect with educational and policy frameworks, both in Australia and across international contexts such as Hong Kong and Singapore. This interest reflects a commitment to amplifying children’s voices and situating early childhood education within broader social, cultural, and political landscapes.Community-Engaged and Practice-Based Research
Elise works collaboratively with community partners, local government, and interdisciplinary teams to design and evaluate sensory-rich educational programs. Her projects are frequently funded through competitive grants (e.g., ATEA, VicHealth, City of Yarra, RMIT EIP Seeding) and contribute to both academic knowledge and tangible sector impact.
