Nicky Thompson

Nicole Thompson is an Early Childhood Education lecturer and researcher at Southern Cross University, with nearly two decades of experience working across the early childhood sector in Australia. She is passionate about preparing future educators to make a meaningful impact in childrens lives through high-quality teaching, strong professional identity, and reflective practice.

Nicole teaches and assesses across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate units, coordinating large student cohorts and supporting preservice teachers to succeed both academically and professionally. She draws on her extensive sector experienceteaching in kindergartens, leading professional development initiatives, and mentoring educators to create learning experiences that are both academically rigorous and grounded in the realities of practice.

Her current research focuses on the ethical use of generative artificial intelligence in early childhood education, with particular attention to how AI tools intersect with the planning cycle, critical reflection, and professional practice. She is also actively publishing and presenting on this topic, contributing to the growing national and international conversation about AI, ethics, and early years pedagogy.

Her professional interests include:

• Early Childhood pedagogy and practice

• Professional identity and mentoring in the ECEC workforce

• Ethical and practical applications of AI in education

• Digital innovation for educator professional development

• Partnerships with families and communities

Nicole is deeply committed to advancing the early childhood profession. She is an advocate for new educators, supporting them to build confidence, resilience, and reflective practice as they enter a rapidly evolving sector. She is also an emerging voice in the field of AI and education, exploring how technology can be used thoughtfully and ethically to reduce administrative burden, support creativity, and strengthen relationships between educators, children, and families.