Prof. Dr. Michelle Neumann
Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education
Southern Cross University, Australia
Professional Summary
Dr. Michelle M. Neumann is a distinguished academic specializing in early childhood education, emergent literacy, and digital learning technologies. Her research focuses on how young children engage with digital tools such as tablets, YouTube, and social robots to develop literacy and cognitive skills. With extensive expertise in early childhood literacy, she examines the role of parents, teachers, and digital environments in fostering young learners’ development.
Dr. Neumann is recognized as a Top Australian Researcher (2022) in Early Childhood Education by The Australian and has made significant contributions to the field through interdisciplinary research combining education, psychology, and technology.
Current Roles
- Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education – Southern Cross University, Australia
- Deputy Leader, Early Years Research Lab – Southern Cross University
- Member, Queensland College of Teachers
Research & Key Projects
- Social Robots in Early Literacy – Investigating the impact of social robots on young children’s early language and literacy development.
- Digital Literacy in Preschoolers – Exploring how touch-screen tablets, YouTube, and digital resources influence emergent literacy and reading motivation.
- Parental Scaffolding and Home Literacy – Studying the role of parents in shaping young children’s writing, reading, and language skills within digital home environments.
- Mindful Digital Technology Use – Researching strategies to create a balanced, educational approach to children’s screen time.
- Evaluation of Children’s Digital Media – Assessing the quality of YouTube content and educational apps for young learners.
Education
- Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education – Griffith University
- B.Ed., PGDip Ed., B.Sc. (Hons) – University of Queensland, Griffith University
Awards & Recognitions
- Top Australian Researcher in Early Childhood Education (The Australian, 2022)
- Research Excellence Award, Southern Cross University
- Highly Cited Researcher in Digital Literacy & Early Learning
Teaching & Academic Contributions
- Develops early childhood education curricula integrating digital literacy strategies.
- Supervises Ph.D. and postgraduate research students in emergent literacy and digital education.
- Conducts professional development workshops for educators on digital technology use in preschool learning environments.
Publications & Thought Leadership
Dr. Neumann has authored numerous high-impact journal articles in early childhood education, digital literacy, and technology-enhanced learning. Her recent work focuses on digital media’s influence on young learners.
- Young Children and YouTube: A Global Phenomenon (2020) – Examines how YouTube is shaping children’s early learning experiences and content engagement.
- Social Robots and Young Children’s Early Language and Literacy Learning (2020) – Explores the role of interactive robots in supporting literacy development.
- Young Children and Tablets: The Views of Parents and Teachers (2020) – Investigates how educators and caregivers perceive digital tablet use in early education.
- Evaluating YouTube Videos for Young Children (2020) – Assesses the educational quality and engagement factors of digital content for kids.
- Exploring the Social Media Networks of Primary School Children (2022) – Analyzes how children interact with digital platforms and the implications for education and social development.
For a full list of publications: Google Scholar Profile
Consultancy & Advisory Roles
- Advises early childhood educators on integrating digital tools into teaching practices.
- Collaborates with educational organizations on literacy development programs.
- Contributes to policy discussions on children’s digital media use and online safety.
Social Media Profiles & Online Presence
- LinkedIn: Michelle Neumann
- ResearchGate: Michelle Neumann
- Southern Cross University Profile: SCU Directory