Research led by Nicole Green, Vicki Christopher and Michelle Turner explores centre- and school-based mentoring programs. Caring for young children and youth more collectively in communities requires many and varied interlocking initiatives (Ellis, Small-McGinley & De Fabrizio, 2001). Research on school-based mentoring programs suggests that an active partnership with early education contexts provides an opportunity to: recruit greater numbers of volunteers, address the needs of children and youth who are most at risk, serve greater numbers of children and youth, and reduce program costs. Developing and sustaining an effective mentoring program, which follows internationally credible effective practices, costs money. However, it is cheaper and more successful than the cost per capita of supervising young people in detention, juvenile delinquents, young offenders, etc. (Winston Churchill Report, 2006). Mentorship literature emphasises the emotional closeness between a child and mentor is the catalyst for improvement of other than academic outcomes, e.g., better attendance, improved classroom behaviour, improved communication or life skills.

Research in Australia and internationally highlights further research is needed to:

- Critically inquire and gain diverse insights in the development, implementation and experience of sustainable centre- and school-based mentoring programs in regional and rural Australia, and the important relationships between mentors and children.
The supervisory team invites postgraduate students interested in mentoring practices. Research projects will benefit from utilising diverse research methodologies and conceptual frameworks so as to offer insightful evidence-based contributions to scholarly conversations and policy initiatives. International collaborations are welcomed.

Dr Nicole Green

• Dr Michelle Turner

• School of education

• Education Systems

• Doctor of Philosophy (DPHD)
• Doctor of Philosophy (DPHD)