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Steven Howard

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Associate Professor, Child Development, University of Wollongong

Steven Howard is an Associate Professor in Early Start and Education at University of Wollongong. He obtained a PhD in Developmental Psychology at York University in Toronto, Canada. His research focuses on how to easily, accurately and playfully pinpoint children’s progress and needs in foundational areas of development (e.g., self-regulation), and use that information to support children’s continued development. This has culminated in creation of the Early Years Toolbox, which is in use in educational and research contexts internationally. He has also been involved in ground-breaking studies that seek to identify effective, low- to no-cost and authentic opportunities for those who spend the majority of time with young children (i.e., educators, parents) to support their children’s ongoing development. This includes the Fostering Effective Early Learning (FEEL) study to evaluate effects of high-quality professional development on educators’ practice and children’s outcomes, and Early Start to Self-Regulation study to evaluate every day, low-cost ways for educators to support children’s self-regulation in pre-school contexts.

Experience

  • 2019–present
    Associate professor, Child Development, Early Start and School of Education, University of Wollongong
  • 2017–2018
    Senior lecturer, Child Development, Early Start and School of Education, University of Wollongong
  • 2011–2016
    Lecturer, Child Development, School of Education, University of Wollongong

Education

  • 2013 
    PhD, Developmental Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • 2011 
    MA, Developmental Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • 2009 
    BA, Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada

Grants and Contracts

  • 2019
    ‘Quality’ adult-child interactions during digital experiences
    Role:
    Chief Investigator
    Funding Source:
    ARC Discovery Grant
  • 2017
    An Early Start to Self-Regulation: Integration of Research Traditions and Low-Cost Early Intervention
    Role:
    Lead Investigator
    Funding Source:
    ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
  • 2015
    Fostering Effective Early Learning (FEEL) Study
    Role:
    Chief Investigator
    Funding Source:
    New South Wales Department of Education and Communities, Competitive Tender
  • 2013
    Physical activity in disadvantaged pre-schools
    Role:
    Associate Investigator
    Funding Source:
    NHMRC Project Grant