MGAEC Executive Committee 2024 - 2025

Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your background and your area of study?

I am Yiwen Yuan, a first-year PhD student in the Faculty of Education at Monash University. My academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from China, followed by a Master of Teaching degree in Early Childhood in Australia. Prior to my PhD studies, I gained valuable hands-on experience working as an Early Childhood Teacher across Melbourne for two years. My diverse professional background also includes roles as an English teacher, interpreter, and journalist.

My research focuses on improving teacher professional development in early childhood education across Australian and Chinese contexts. This passion stems from my direct experience in diverse educational settings and my commitment to enhancing children's learning outcomes. At Monash, I have found an enriching environment that supports my research aspirations through excellent mentorship and practical opportunities.

What is your role within the MGAEC, and what are you hoping to achieve over your term in office?

My desire to serve as Women’s Officer is deeply rooted in my personal experiences and values. My formative years in a girls’ school instilled in me core principles of independence, capability, care, and elegance – values that continue to shape my approach to leadership and community service. As a woman who has navigated academic and professional life across different cultures, I deeply understand the challenges faced by women in graduate studies. Our community includes mothers balancing family and academia, international female students adapting to a new country, and female professionals managing multiple responsibilities with limited support.

What motivated you to join the executive committee? What drives you to make a difference in your graduate student community?

In collaboration with MGAEC, I hope to create a safe and inclusive environment where women feel empowered to voice their opinions over my term in office. With the belief that all people deserve equal opportunities, choices, capabilities, power and knowledge, I am committed to building a sustainable future that benefits our community through understanding, action and collaboration.