Dr Lyra L'Estrange

Faculty of Creative Industries, Education & Social Justice,
School of Early Childhood & Inclusive Education
Biography
Dr Lyra L’Estrange’s research and teaching in trauma aware education contributes to redefining support systems for children and adolescents living with the outcomes of complex trauma. Lyra uses her research experience in public health to translate trauma-informed principles into the education space, supporting the understanding of how learning and development is affected by complex trauma. Lyra has worked with parents, educators, and community organisations since 2014 delivering trauma-informed education.At QUT, Lyra currently teaches undergraduate and post-graduate units in trauma aware education and understanding adverse childhood experiences. Lyra's current research projects employ both quantitative and qualitative research methods and are centred around preparing pre-service teachers for diversity in classrooms, the resolution of complex trauma through trauma-aware education, and neuroscience in early childhood education.
Personal details
Positions
- Lecturer
Faculty of Creative Industries, Education & Social Justice,
School of Early Childhood & Inclusive Education
Keywords
trauma-aware education, trauma-informed, adverse childhood experiences, diversity in education, neuroscience, early childhood
Discipline
Specialist Studies in Education, Curriculum and Pedagogy
Field of Research code, Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC), 2008
Qualifications
- PhD (University of New South Wales)
Professional memberships and associations
Centre for Child and Family Studies research group member
Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Teaching
Lyra has a background in public health and parenting education and has taught within community settings since 2009. Her professional experience in trauma-informed practices and behavioural neuroscience, in conjunction with her quantitative and qualitative research experience inform her teaching in the higher education setting at QUT. Lyra’s teaching in trauma aware education is grounded in neuroscience and interpersonal biology. Her teaching style is centred around facilitating a greater awareness of our own beliefs and understandings in the way we perceive children and adolescents.
She currently co-teaches the Trauma Aware Education Graduate Certificate/Master of Education Specialisation and is Unit Coordinator for:
EUB003 Managing Challenging Student Behaviour Due to Complex Trauma
EUN652 Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences
Experience
Lyra engages with organisations seeking to build knowledge in trauma-informed practice and research methods, and holds advisory roles on several projects working within trauma-informed frameworks.
She is a key member of the Trauma Aware Schooling conference committee (www.traumaawareschooling.com.au) working to bring the latest developments in research and practice to the education community.
Selected publications
- Howard J, L'Estrange L, Brown M, (2021) The School Counsellor's Role in Trauma Aware Education, Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools.
- Rowan L, Bourke T, L'Estrange L, Lunn J, Ryan M, Walker S, Churchward P, (2021) How does Initial Teacher Education Research frame the challenge of preparing future teachers for student diversity in schools?: A systematic review of literature, Review of Educational Research, 91 (1), pp. 112-158.
- Ryan M, Rowan L, Lunn J, Bourke T, L'Estrange L, Walker S, Churchward P, (2022) Teacher education and teaching for diversity: a call to action, Teaching Education, 33 (2), pp. 194-213.
- Lunn J, Bourke T, Rowan L, Ryan M, Churchward P, Walker S, L'Estrange L, Berge A, Johansson E, (2022) How epistemic reflexivity enables teacher educators’ teaching for diversity: exploring a pedagogical framework for critical thinking, British Educational Research Journal.
- Ryan M, Bourke T, Lane R, O'Brien P, L'Estrange L, (2022) Impact in education: a discourse analysis of interpretations and negotiations across the field, Teaching Education, 33 (1), pp. 27-41.
QUT ePrints
For more publications by Lyra, explore their research in QUT ePrints (our digital repository).
Selected research projects
- Title
- Educating Preservice Teachers to Teach Diverse Learners
- Primary fund type
- CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
- Project ID
- DP180100160
- Start year
- 2018
- Keywords
Projects listed above are funded by Australian Competitive Grants. Projects funded from other sources are not listed due to confidentiality agreements.
Supervision
Current supervisions
- School-based child sexual abuse prevention education: A study of teachers' readiness |
PhD, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Professor Kerryann Walsh, Associate Professor Sonia White - Trauma-informed alternative education in Australia: Recommended service design and delivery
Professional Doctorate, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Associate Professor Judith Howard - The intersection of complex trauma and disability for school aged children and young people.
Professional Doctorate, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Associate Professor Judith Howard - Trauma-aware online learning framework and strategy to support adult learners in the post-COVID environment
Professional Doctorate, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Associate Professor Judith Howard