Jayson Cooper

Jayson Cooper is a Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at the University of Melbourne. His interdisciplinary career spans over three decades, encompassing expertise in education, music and the arts, sustainability and environmental relations, sound studies, and public pedagogies. Jayson’s work focuses on transforming early childhood pedagogies through the innovative integration of STEM publicness, cultural responsiveness, First Nations–settler relations, and multimodal approaches, fostering inclusive, engaging, and impactful learning environments.

Jayson’s research examines how arts-based methods, sound studies, acoustic ecologies, and place-based education entangle deep engagement with naturecultures in early learning contexts. He is a recognised leader in public pedagogies, pioneering creative, interdisciplinary approaches that connect learners with their communities and environments. His work has driven major initiatives, including a three-year collaboration with Catholic Education South Australia that produced a widely adopted STEM Learning Ecologies digital toolkit. His current research at Bush Kindy with Gowrie South Australia explores sound studies and deep listening as innovative frameworks for connecting learners with cultural and natural landscapes in early childhood education.

Jayson’s contributions to education have earned prestigious recognition, including the Faculty of Education Award for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching Indigenous Perspectives (2022) and the Award for Sustainability Practices in Education (2021). His publications have influenced discourse on transformative education, public pedagogies, social justice, and community engagement, shaping policy and practice across the sector.

Jayson actively seeks collaborations and invites graduate researchers interested in STEM education, sustainability, Indigenous knowledges, sound studies, and public pedagogies. His expertise lies in creating interdisciplinary approaches to early childhood education that challenge traditional boundaries and inspire innovative teaching and learning practices.