Toward Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
https://towardinclusion.com.au/about-us
Dr Kathy Cologon
Our team is led by Dr Kathy Cologon (she/her), who is our Principal Consultant and Founder of Toward Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Kathy loves to work with people who share her passion for inclusion. Kathy is warm, collaborative and has a deep understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Kathy is nationally and internationally renowned for her work in Inclusive Education and Disability Studies. Kathy has extensive experience in developing and facilitating Professional Learning within early childhood settings, schools, government departments, and small and large organisations. Kathy has published more than 60 papers, book chapters, and books. Her book Inclusive Education in the Early Years: Right from the Start, which is now in its second edition (Cologon & Mevawalla, 2023), was commissioned by Oxford University Press. This book has become a core component of education for inclusion across Australia and internationally. Her latest book, Inclusive Education through the Creative Arts, blends theory, research, and practical insights (Niland, Huhtinen-Hildén and Cologon, 2024)
Kathy worked as a researcher and university teacher educator at Macquarie University for 15 years. Prior to this Kathy worked across various education settings for a decade. Kathy collaborates with families, teachers, allied professionals, policy makers, academics, and a range of other stakeholders to support inclusion within education and beyond.
The crux of what drives Kathy's research is a belief in the value of human beings in all our wonderful diversities and recognition that this has particular implications for the role of education and accessibility in our communities. Through her work, Kathy seeks to contribute to increased knowledge and understanding regarding how to provide effective opportunities to enable all people to flourish as valued community members. This requires challenging normative and deficit assumptions and engaging with practical issues relating to children's rights and social inclusion.
With extensive experience in the field prior to commencing her work in academia, followed by 14 years of educating teachers for inclusion, Kathy has a depth and breadth of understanding of the many facets of inclusive education. This continues to develop through her ongoing research and engagement with children, families, teachers and allied professionals.