Dr Queena Lee, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Dr. Queena Lee is an early-career academic and lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology, specializing in early childhood education and teacher development. With a deep-rooted passion for nurturing future educators, Dr. Lee focuses on fostering agency and citizenship in young learners through innovative pedagogical approaches. Her journey reflects a rich blend of teaching, academic research, and cross-cultural education across Australia and Asia. Known for her dynamic workshops, digital simulation strategies, and immersive teaching tools, she integrates cultural-historical theory into practice to support professional growth. Her doctoral work at Monash University explored how Victorian early education frameworks shape children’s agency. Dr. Lee’s recent publications and collaborative research on virtual reality-based learning environments have received international attention. She is also the current convenor for the AARE’s Special Interest Group on Cultural Historical Activity Theory, demonstrating leadership and vision in transforming teacher education. Her work bridges theory, practice, and technology to create meaningful learning environments.
Publication Profile
Orcid
Education
Dr. Lee holds a Doctor of Philosophy (2020–2024) from Monash University, where she also completed her Graduate Certificate of Educational Research (2019), Master of Teaching in Early Years Education (2017), and Graduate Diploma of Education Studies (2015). Her educational journey in Australia has been marked by progressive exploration of pedagogy, curriculum, and educational theory with a focus on early childhood development. Her doctoral thesis provided a cultural-historical analysis of children’s agency development in Victorian early learning environments. Before her education in Australia, she earned a Bachelor of Management in Electronic Commerce (2014) from Nanjing Auditing University, China. This multidisciplinary foundation allows Dr. Lee to engage with digital innovations in educational practices. Her qualifications reflect not only academic excellence but also her deep commitment to blending research with teaching to shape reflective, competent, and compassionate educators prepared for the challenges of contemporary classrooms.
Experience
Dr. Queena Lee brings rich and multifaceted experience as a Lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology (2024–present), where she coordinates units and research in early childhood education. Her previous roles include Teaching Associate at Swinburne, Australian Catholic University, and Monash University, delivering both undergraduate and postgraduate education across early childhood, primary, and secondary sectors. Her roles also involved assessment design, unit planning, and facilitating online and face-to-face workshops. As a Program Facilitator at Monash University’s English Connect, she enhanced global communication skills for higher degree research students. Additionally, her career includes impactful roles as an Early Childhood Teacher and Educational Leader (2016–2022), applying hands-on pedagogical strategies in kindergartens and long day care services. Dr. Lee’s trajectory showcases her seamless integration of academic research, educational innovation, and classroom leadership. Her academic and field-based experiences empower her to create immersive, student-centered learning environments that are responsive to cultural and technological shifts in education.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Queena Lee has been recognized for both her academic excellence and her contributions to the educational research community. She was awarded Best Presenter at the 2020 International Graduate Research Symposium, reflecting her exceptional ability to communicate complex research in accessible and engaging ways. In addition to academic accolades, Dr. Lee has held numerous leadership and voluntary roles that underline her service to the educational field. These include her ongoing role as Convenor of the AARE Special Interest Group: Cultural Historical Activity Theory, where she manages national-level research activities, and her previous roles as Mentor, PhD Ambassador, and Research Community Leader at Monash University. These positions not only underscore her leadership capabilities but also highlight her dedication to mentoring future researchers and fostering collaborative learning environments. Through these accolades and roles, Dr. Lee demonstrates the innovative spirit, collaborative ethos, and research-driven leadership that align with the values of the Excellence in Innovation Award.
Research Focus
Dr. Lee’s research focuses on children’s agency development, teacher education, play-based pedagogy, curriculum studies, and the application of cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) in early childhood settings. A significant component of her work involves analyzing how educational systems influence young children’s sense of agency and identity. Her doctoral research explored teaching practices in Victoria and how these shape children’s agency development. She is particularly interested in exploring how virtual reality (VR) simulations can serve as social situations of development for early childhood pre-service teachers, transforming traditional fieldwork and professional practice experiences. Her comparative studies across Australia, Vietnam, and Indonesia also highlight her interest in transnational pedagogy and culturally responsive practices. By applying both qualitative methodologies and theoretical frameworks like CHAT, Dr. Lee produces research that not only informs teaching practices but also advocates for equity, innovation, and reflective practice in early education.
Publication Top Notes
📘 Li, Y. (2020). The discourse of agency in early childhood: A corpus-driven discourse analysis of a state-level curriculum in Australia. Vietnam National University Press, pp. 611-626.
📘 Lee, Q. (2022). PhD candidature during the pandemic: Hansel and Gretel’s trip through the woods. In Springer Nature Singapore, pp. 275-285.
📘 Lee, Q. Y. (2024). Teaching practices in early childhood educational settings in Victoria and the development of children’s agency: A cultural-historical analysis [Doctoral thesis, Monash University].
📘 Lee, Q., Utami, A.D., & Minh, T.D. (2024). Comparative studies of play practices in Australia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. In Springer Nature Singapore, pp. 207-228.
📘 Lee, Q., Devi, A., & Cutri, J. (2025). Harnessing virtual reality to enrich pre-service teachers’ professional experiences. Education Sciences, 15(5), 635.
📘 Devi, A., Cutri, J., & Lee, Q. (2025). Virtual reality in postgraduate pre-service teacher education. In W. Goff (Ed.), Immersive learning in teacher education. IGI Global. (In press).