Trauma-Aware Education is a neuroscience-informed way of thinking, believing, planning and acting to support learners in a range of education settings who have experienced trauma and adversity. Our group of QUT academics are leading work in this international movement through research, curriculum development and professional learning across early childhood, schools, school counselling, and higher education.
Project team
Project networks
Trauma-Aware Higher Education Leaders Network
This network was established in 2023 as a collaboration between Dr Judith Howard and Dr Lyra L’Estrange from QUT, and Dr Marcelle Cacciattolo from Victoria University. The network consists of university and TAFE academics from over 25 higher education institutions who are dedicated to progressing trauma-informed practice, teaching and research within teacher education, their institutions and across Australia.
Trauma-Aware Education Systems Leaders Network
This network was established in 2023 as a collaboration between leaders of education departments, organisations, and jurisdictions in including state schooling, early childhood education and care, independent schooling, catholic education and education services delivered by various religious entities, and alternative education – who are dedicated to progressing trauma-informed policy and practice and education reform across Australia.
International connections
- Oxford Symposium of School Based Family Counselling
- Centre for Disaster Healing Resources
- Institute of School Based Family Counselling
- Western Institute for Social Research (Berkley)
- Trauma-Informed Educators Network
- Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative (Harvard Law School)
- Crisis Prevention Institute
Project publications
- Brown, Meegan (2025) School counsellor perspectives: Training to lead and implement trauma-informed practices. Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools
- L’Estrange, Lyra & Howard, Judith (2022) Trauma-informed initial teacher education training: A necessary step in a system-wide response to addressing childhood trauma. Frontiers in Education
- Howard, Judith, L’Estrange, Lyra, & Brown, Meegan (2022) National Guidelines for Trauma-Aware Education in Australia. Frontiers in Education
- Howard, Judith (2019) A systemic framework for trauma-informed schooling: Complex but necessary! Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma
- Howard, Judith (2022) Trauma-aware education: Essential information and guidance for educators, education sites and education systems. Australian Academic Press
Related material
- Trauma-Aware Education Conference
- Summit for Trauma-Informed Education
- Declaration for a Trauma-Informed Workforce in Australia
- National Guidelines for Trauma-Aware Education
- The Eucalypt Way
