Nicky Thompson

Biography

Nicole Thompson is an Associate Lecturer and Unit Assessor in the Faculty of Education at Southern Cross University and a PhD candidate researching the ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in early childhood education. She has more than 15 years of professional experience across early childhood education, leadership, higher education and professional learning, including previous roles as a Kindergarten Director and early childhood teacher.

Nicole’s academic work brings together her experience as an educator, researcher and university teacher, with a strong focus on translating emerging research into practical and meaningful approaches for the early childhood sector.

Research

Nicole’s research explores the ethical, relational and professional implications of GenAI in early childhood education and care. Her PhD investigates how educators and educational leaders are engaging with GenAI in professional practice, including its use in areas such as planning, documentation, critical reflection and communication.

Her broader research interests include digital technologies in early childhood education, educator professional practice, ethics, digital transformation and the relationship between technology, policy and pedagogy. Her work is particularly concerned with ensuring that the adoption of GenAI maintains human professional judgement, children’s rights, relationships and quality early childhood practice at its centre.

Nicole has published research examining the ethical and professional implications of GenAI in early childhood education and continues to contribute to emerging scholarship in this rapidly developing field.

Community engagement

Nicole works with early childhood educators, leaders, researchers and sector organisations to support critical and informed conversations about GenAI and digital transformation in early childhood education.

She is a member of the Early Childhood Australia Queensland Committee and a co-convener of the European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) Special Interest Group focused on artificial intelligence in early childhood education. She regularly contributes to professional learning, conferences and sector discussions, with a particular interest in translating research into practical resources and guidance for educators and services.

Nicole is passionate about ensuring that technological change in early childhood education strengthens, rather than replaces, the relational, ethical and deeply human dimensions of educators’ work.

Teaching

Nicole teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate early childhood education units at Southern Cross University and works as a Unit Assessor across large and diverse student cohorts.

Her teaching focuses particularly on curriculum, pedagogy, professional practice, critical reflection and contemporary issues in early childhood education. She is committed to accessible, engaging and student-centred teaching that connects theory with the realities of professional practice and supports pre-service and practising educators to think critically about the changing early childhood landscape.