Siobhan O'Brien

Biography

Ms Siobhan O'Brien (Bed Hon, MEd) is located at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, in the Department of Education. Siobhan has an extensive career working as a classroom teacher and school leader in primary school settings since 1995. Her research interests are focused on children and parent participation, engagement and wellbeing. 

Siobhan is in the final stages of her PhD studies, the project titled Improving children's wellbeing with The Reading WELL [Wellbeing Everyday through Learning and Literature] - a home reading program using developmental bibliotherapy. This project makes use of developmental bibliotherapy with parents through a home reading program. Three wellbeing topics, body image, self-esteem and resilience are explored in relation to opportunities for reading to learn and attainment of eudemonic wellbeing. The central idea behind the Reading WELL is to evaluate if interactive reading of selected books and use of the developmental bibliotherapy framework can increase parent child interaction; reading interest, reading engagement and enjoyment; with an emphasised understanding of the wellbeing topics; body image, resilience and self-esteem. 

Working in projects in the Department of Education Siobhan is focused on rich L&T solutions grounded in student voice while integrating authentic real world digital platforms to enhance reflective practice, professional connections, and partnerships with industry.

A current project #SWINPROFEXP: PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT ON INSTAGRAM  with all primary and early years education supports students develop a professional digital profile to engage with industry to support reflective practice and the formation of a community across year levels and degrees. Publications from this project are listed below.