ACU Researcher

Professor Bonnie Yim

Professor of Education
National School of Education

Areas of expertise: sociocultural theory; ecological systems theory; attachment theory; data mining; mixed methods methodology; teacher education; child development; early childhood; curriculum development and evaluation; cross cultural studies; play-based learning; infants & toddlers; active engagement in learning

Phone: +61 3 9230 8790

Email: Bonnie.Yim@acu.edu.au

Location: ACU Melbourne Campus

HDR Supervisor accreditation status: HDR Supervisor (Full)

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-8793-8119

Professor Bonnie Yim is a Professor of Education of the Faculty of Education and Arts at the Australian Catholic University (ACU). Bonnie's research interests include teacher education, child development, curriculum development and evaluation, cross-cultural studies, and engagement in learning. She is an active researcher and has published widely in these areas. She also undertakes research that focuses on positive outcomes of learners in the Asia-Pacific region through collaborative partnerships with Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and philanthropic organisations. Bonnie serves on the Editorial Board for premier scholarly journals, and has participated in high-level international meetings and has undertaken consultancies for international organisations. She has received awards for learning, teaching, research and partnerships. Bonnie is also an early years consultant in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, China (including Hong Kong), Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

View on Google scholar

Select publications

• Yim, B., & Ting, N. (2023, 7-9 July). Universal Design for Learning (UDL): A study of early childhood professionals' views in Hong Kong. Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association (International) 23rd Conference, Bali, Indonesia.
• Tan, C., Yim, B., & Paatsch, L. (2023, 7-9 July). Infants' active involvement in learning through movement: A Singapore study Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association (International) 23rd Conference, Bali, Indonesia.
• Ebbeck, M., Yim, H. Y. B., Ho, S. Y., & Sharma, M. (2022). Continuity of care: Primary caregiving in Singapore. Early Childhood Education Journal 50(2), 291-300.
• Ebbeck, M., Yim, H. Y. B., & Lee, L. W. M. (2022). Intergenerational Relationships: Stories from Selected Countries in the Pan Pacific Region. In M. R. Jalongo & P. A. Crawford (Eds.), Intergenerational Bonds: The Contributions of Older Adults to Young Children's Lives (Vol. 18, pp. 169-184). Springer.
• Ebbeck, M., Yim, H. Y. B., Ho, S. Y., & Sharma, M. (2022). COVID-19 Influences on the quality of curriculum in selected childcare. In M. R. Jalongo & J. Pattnaik (Eds.), The impact of COVID-19 on early childhood education and care: International perspectives, challenges, and responses (pp. 441-459). Springer.
• Robertson, N., Yim, B., & Paatsch, L. (2022). Group Music Activities in Chinese Kindergartens: Children's Engagement and Teacher Perspectives. Asia-Pacific Journal of Research in Early Childhood Education, 16, 49-72.
• Ebbeck, M., Yim, H. Y. B., Ho, S. Y., & Sharma, M. (2021). Continuity of care: Primary caregiving in Singapore, 21st Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference, New Zealand/online.
• Robertson, N., Yim, H. Y. B., & Paatsch, L. (2020). Connections between children's involvement in dramatic play and the quality of early childhood environments. Early Child Development and Care, 190, 376-389. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2018.1473389
• Ebbeck, M., Yim, H. Y. B., & Warrier, S. (2019). Early childhood teachers' views and teaching practices in outdoor play with young children in Singapore. Early Childhood Education Journal, 47(3), 265-273.
• Ebbeck, M., Yim, H. Y. B., & Wei, T. (2019). Preparing children for an uncertain future: the role of the early childhood teacher. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, 41(3), 223-240.
• Yim, H. Y. B. (2018, 16-17 March). Urban Play Spaces for Children. 3rd SNU & Deakin University Education Symposium, Sichuan, China.
• Ebbeck, M., Yim, H. Y. B., & Lee, L. W. M. (2017). Fostering children's wellbeing through play opportunities. In S. Garvis & D. Pendergast (Eds.), Health and wellbeing in childhood (2nd ed., pp. 299-314). Cambridge University Press.
• Yim, H. Y. B., & Lee, L. W. M. (2016). Urban play spaces for children. In M. Ebbeck & M. Waniganayake (Eds.), Play in early childhood education: Learning in diverse contexts (2nd ed., pp. 250-269). Oxford University Press.
• Ebbeck, M., Yim, H. Y. B., Chan, Y. Y. Y., & Goh, M. (2016). Singaporean parents' views of their young children's access and use of technological devices. Early Childhood Education Journal, 44(2), 127-134.
• Yim, H. Y. B., & Lee, L. W. M. (2015, 24-26 July). Technology and Learning: Resources for Teachers 16th Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association (PECERA) conference, Sydney, Australia.
• Ebbeck, E., Yim, H. Y. B., & Lee, L. W. M. (2014). Play materials. In S. Garvis & D. Pendergast (Eds.), Health and wellbeing in childhood (pp. 272-286). Cambridge University Press.
• Ebbeck, M., Yim, H. Y. B., & Lee, L. W. M. (2013). Play-based learning. In D. Pendergast & S. Garvis (Eds.), Teaching early years: Curriculum, pedagogy and assessment (pp. 185-200). Allen & Unwin.
• Ebbeck, E., & Yim, H. Y. B. (2013, 9-11 September). Research in Singapore: A study of technology with young children Joint SELF Biennial International Conference and Educational Research Association of Singapore (ERAS) Conference, Singapore.
• Garvis, S., Lemon, N., Pendergast, D., & Yim, B. (2013). A content analysis of early childhood teachers' theoretical and practical experiences with infants and toddlers in Australian teacher education programs. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 38(9), 25-36.

Projects

• 2023-2024: Australia Awards, Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT), AUD $341,193.18
• 2023-2024: Yew Chung Education Foundation, AUD $79,186
• 2021-2023: Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, AUD $4,692,664
• 2019-2022: Singapore NTUC First Campus research fund, AUD $112,393
• 2017-2022: Hong Kong Christian Services Fund, AUD $100,977

Awards

• 2022: Teaching and Learning Award - Curriculum design that is innovative, motivates and inspires, Deakin University
• 2019: Recognition of Achievement - exceptional student satisfaction, Deakin University
• 2018: Partnership & International Award - Partnership Development, Deakin University
• 2018: Fellowship for Internationalisation, Deakin University
• 2017: Recognition of Achievement - exceptional student satisfaction, Deakin University
• 2016: Recognition of Achievement - exceptional student satisfaction, Deakin University
• 2013: Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellent Contributions to Partnership, Deakin University
• 2013: Faculty of Arts and Education Award - Internationalization, Deakin University
• 2012-2014: Project Leader, Warrnambool Teaching-Research Fellowship, Faculty of Arts and Education - Partnership building: Connecting, Communicating & Collaborating across campuses. Faculty of Arts and Education, Deakin University
• 2010: Research Award - Best Collaborative Research Project, University of South Australia
• 2008: Teaching Award - Transnational Teaching, University of South Australia
• 2005-2009: Scholarship Recipient, University President's Scholarship (UPS), School of Education, Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences, University of South Australia
• 2005-2009: Scholarship Recipient, School of Education Scholarship, School of Education, Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences, University of South Australia

Appointments and Affiliations

• 2024-present: Professor of Education, Faculty of Education and Arts, National School of Education, Australian Catholic University
• 2021-2024: Associate Dean (International & Engagement), Faculty of Arts and Education, Deakin University
• 2019-2021: Associate Head of School (International Partnerships), School of Education, Faculty of Arts and Education, Deakin University
• 2013-2018: Course Director, Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (International) (BECE-I, Singapore), Deakin University
• 2011-2014: Course Director, Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE), Deakin University
• 2011-2018: Course Director, Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honors), Deakin University
• 2011-2014: Course Director, Bachelor of Early Childhood Education-Deakin at Your Doorstep (BECE-D@YD), Deakin University

Editorial roles

• 2011-present: Associate Editor, Asia-Pacific Journal of Research in ECE (APJRECE)

International journal review panels

• 2021-present: British Educational Research Journal
• 2020-present: Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education
• 2010-present: Early Childhood Education Journal (ECEJ)
• 2018-present: Teaching Education
• 2022-present: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• 2010-present: Australasian Journal of Early Childhood (AJEC)

Grant agency review panels

• Education Research Funding Program (ERFP) Research Grants, National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore

Public engagement

• 2023-present: Chairperson, Programme Advisory Committee (PAC), Early Childhood Education Leadership Programme Advisory Committee, Singapore University of Social Sciences SUSS, Singapore
• 2022-present: Chairperson, Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association (PECERA), Communications & Publications Sub-Committee, China HKSAR
• 2022-present: Executive Committee Member, Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association (PECERA), Executive Committee, China HKSAR
• 2023-present: External Examiner, National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC), Singapore
  2019-2022: Committee Member, Research Governance Committee, NTUC First Campus, Singapore