Dr Nathalie Nehma

Dr Nathalie Nehma is the Head of Program – Early Childhood Education in the College of Arts, Business, Law, Education and IT at Victoria University.  

She leads all undergraduate and postgraduate early childhood courses and oversees a large team of academics. With more than 23 years of service at Victoria University across both TAFE and Higher Education, Nathalie brings extensive cross-sector expertise, deep disciplinary knowledge, and a sustained commitment to excellence in early childhood education. 

Her professional journey reflects resilience and determination, progressing from early childhood educator and primary teacher to academic leader. Nathalie has taught and convened a wide range of units and chaired multiple undergraduate and postgraduate courses, often during complex and critical periods, demonstrating strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a highly student-centred approach. She is deeply committed to supporting pre-service teachers to develop exceptional teaching skills and professional confidence. 

Nathalie’s teaching is characterised by innovative curriculum design, inclusive and creative pedagogies, and a strong focus on employability. She has led the development of transformative placement models, including award-winning initiatives. Her contributions have significantly enhanced student outcomes, reflected in consistently high satisfaction rates and strong graduate employment results. 

A strong advocate for collaboration and engagement, Nathalie fosters partnerships between the university and local, national, and international communities. She has established impactful collaborations with industry, government, and global institutions, contributing to major initiatives, including state-funded projects addressing early childhood teacher shortages. 

Her research is informed by her lived experience and longstanding commitment to social justice. Her PhD explored children’s educational experiences during and beyond times of armed conflict. Her current research focuses on children’s rights, diversity and inclusion, trauma-informed practice, pre-service teachers professional experience and mentoring, and child-centred approaches. Nathalie is dedicated to integrating research into teaching to prepare future educators for complex and diverse contexts. 

Through her leadership, teaching, and research, Nathalie is committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and excellence in early childhood education in Australia and globally, contributing to a more just and inclusive society for all children.