Dr Criss Jones Diaz

c.jonesdiaz@westernsydney.edu.au

Methods

Critical Discourse Analysis

Thematic Discourse Analysis

Research Focus

Diversity and difference in early childhood and primary education

Multilingualism and languages learning in childhood

Literacies in childhood: Critical and cultural theory

Social justice and equity in early childhood and primary education

Critical intercultural literacy in childhood studies

Concepts/Focus

Sociocritical perspectives

Critical theory

Cultural studies

Poststructuralism

Intersectionality

Interculturality

Dr Criss Jones Diaz is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at Western Sydney University and a Researcher in the Centre for Educational Research. She has been a teacher educator for over twenty years. Prior to her commencement at the University of Western Sydney, she taught English as an additional language in Central America and the Caribbean where she learnt Spanish as an additional language. Her professional background is grounded in education and community contexts where she has collaborated with educators providing professional development on early literacies, bi/multilingualism, languages learning and diversity issues. Her research and publications focus on languages, literacies and identity negotiation in contexts of diversity and difference. Recent prominent co-authored and co-edited texts include ‘Diversity and Difference in Childhoods: Issues for Theory and Practice’ (2016, 2nd Ed); ‘Understanding sociological theory and pedagogical practices’ (2015 and 2018, 2nd Ed forthcoming). She has authored numerous journal articles and book chapters pertaining to my area of expertise.   With colleagues from Western Sydney University, she is currently working on research examining home/community language maintenance and loss in young children Birth – 5 year attending early childhood settings in New South Wales, Australia.  She is also working collaboratively with Western Sydney and international colleagues on research investigating issues of diversity, difference, equity, and family engagement in educational settings. For over 20 years, she has been a volunteer Principal and Treasurer for the Latin American School of the Inner West Inc. (a not-for-profit Spanish community language school). Recently, she was awarded winner for Excellence in University Engagement and Sustainability Award from Western Sydney University, based on contributions, that I have made to this organisation.

Current Projects

Addressing the policy gap in the bilingual and HL support in ECE: A longitudinal investigation of educational models of home language and bilingual support to pre-schoolers attending early childhood education settings and community language schools (working title).

Criss Jones Diaz, Paola Escudero Neyra, Ken Cruickshank, John Hajek

This program of research aims to address major gaps in the provision of home language and bilingual support in early childhood education and community language schools across NSW.   It will research the impact of policies, pedagogical practices, and use of human and non-human resources in meeting the needs and demands for bilingual support for children and their families in these settings.  Parents and educators’ views and perspectives will be documented in view of how the setting’s program supports the retention and extension of children’s home languages. The study will also investigate children’s voices and experiences of learning and using their home language at the setting.

Revisiting Diversity, Difference and Social Justice in Early Childhood Education

Kerry Robinson, Criss Jones Diaz, Jayne Osgood, Alex Gunn, Camilla Andersen, Michelle Salazar-Perez, Nicola Surtees

This program of research further advances an already established national and international research program aims to address the impact on of lived experiences of children, families and their communities, given the recent global political developments and the rise of popularism (e.g. Brexit in England, the election of President Trump in USA, the marriage equality plebiscite in Australia, the Me Too movement and Black Lives Matter) all of which have re-ignited debates about racial intolerance, Islamaphobia, homophobia, transphobia, gender fluidity, linguistic inequality, Indigeneity, refugees and sexism. It is important to investigate how children understand these issues as they impact on their daily lives and local community contexts.  Our work with early childhood educators and community service professionals demonstrates the significance of social justice education, highlighting many of the contradictions and complexities of diversity and difference in early childhood education.

International Collaboration for Collaboration for Culturally Inclusive Early Childhood Pedagogies

Christine Woodrow, Jamie Sisson, Sue Grieshaber, Jenny Ritchie, Jacqui D’warte, Criss Jones Diaz, Catherine Hamm, Louise Phillips, Jayson Cooper and Jean Marie Iorio. In collaboration with national and international colleagues, this program of research aims to critically address ways in which culturally inclusive early childhood pedagogies can promote cultural and linguistic integrity beyond a cultural competence approach  through pedagogies and practices that  critical cultural integrity in early childhood education.  

Consultancies

Jones Díaz, C & Woodrow, C. (2019) Guest lecturers for the Masters of Interculturality and Inclusive Education, University of San Sebastian, Chile

Recent Publications

Books

Robinson K, Jones Díaz C. (2016 2nd Ed) Diversity and difference in childhood: Issues for theory and practice, McGraw Hill: Melbourne

Edited Research books

Ferfolja, T., Jones Díaz, C. & Ullman, J. (2018 2nd Ed) (Eds) Understanding sociological theory and pedagogical practices. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge

Ferfolja, T., Jones Díaz, C. & Ullman, J. (2015) (Eds) Understanding sociological theory and pedagogical practices. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge

Scholarly book chapters

Jones Díaz (2022: Forthcoming) Building on and sustaining multilingual children’s cultural and linguistic assets in superdiverse early childhood education’ (working title). In A. Sahlane & R. Pritchard (Eds.) Critical Intercultural Literacy and International Language Education. Palgrave / Macmillan

Jones Díaz, C. & Walker, U. (2018) Spanish in the Antipodes: Diversity and hybridity of Latino/a Spanish speakers in Australia and Aotearoa-New Zealand. In P. Potowski (Ed) The Routledge Handbook of Spanish as a Heritage/Minority Language: Routledge: NY.

Jones Díaz, C. (2018 2nd Ed)Silences in growing up bilingual in multicultural globalised societies: Negotiating languages, identity and difference in childhood. In T. Ferfolja, C. Jones Diaz & J. Ullman (Eds.) Understanding sociological theory and pedagogical practices. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge

Ullman J., Ferfolja, T., & Jones Diaz, C. (2018 2nd Ed)Theory and praxis: re-creating the whole. In T. Ferfolja, C. Jones Diaz & J. Ullman (Eds.) Understanding sociological theory and pedagogical practices. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge

Ferfolja T, Jones Diaz C, Ullman J, (2018 2nd Eds.)The unseen half: theories for educational practices. In T. Ferfolja, C. Jones Diaz & J. Ullman (Eds) Understanding sociological theory and pedagogical practices. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge

Jones Díaz, C. (2016) Growing up bilingual and negotiating identity in globalised and multicultural Australia: Exploring transformations and contestations of identity and bilingualism in contexts of hybridity an diaspora. In D. Cole & C. Woodrow (Eds.) Super dimensions in globalization and education. Springer: Singapore

Jones Díaz, C. (2015)Silences in growing up bilingual in multicultural globalised societies: Negotiating languages, identity and difference in childhood. In T. Ferfolja, C. Jones Diaz & J. Ullman (Eds.) Understanding sociological theory and pedagogical practices. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge

Ullman J., Ferfolja, T., & Jones Diaz, C. (2015)Theory and praxis: re-creating the whole. In T. Ferfolja, C. Jones Diaz & J. Ullman (Eds.) Understanding sociological theory and pedagogical practices. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge

Ferfolja T, Jones Diaz C, Ullman J, (2015)The unseen half: theories for educational practices. In T. Ferfolja, C. Jones Diaz & J. Ullman (Eds.) Understanding sociological theory and pedagogical practices. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge

Jones Díaz, C. (2014) Literacies in childhood bilingualism: Building on cultural andlinguistic capital in early childhood education. In L. Arthur, J. Ashton & B. Beecher (eds) Diverse Literacies in the Early Years: Implications for Practice, ACER: Sydney.

Beecher, B. & Jones Díaz, C. (2014) Extending literacies through partnerships with families and communities. In L. Arthur, J. Ashton & B. Beecher (Eds.) Diverse Literacies in the Early Years: Implications for Practice, ACER: Sydney

Arthur, L., Beecher, B. & Jones Díaz, C. (2014) Utilising popular culture to extend children’s literacy. In L. Arthur, J. Ashton & B. Beecher (Eds.) Diverse Literacies in the Early Years: Implications for Practice, ACER: Sydney

Journal articles

Escudero, P., Jones Díaz, C., Hajek, J. & Wigglesworth, G. (2020). Probability of heritage language use at a supportive early childhood setting in Australia. Frontiers Education, Vol 5 (93): 1- 11, https//doi: 10.3389/feduc.2020.00093

Robinson, K.H., Jones Díaz, C. & Townley, C. (2019). Constructions of knowledge and childhood: Addressing current affairs with children with a focus on parents’ practices and children’s news media. Journal of Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood. Vol 20 (4): 324 – 336, https://doi.org/10.1177/1463949119888483

Jones Diaz, C., Morgan, L. & Chodkiewicz, A. (2018) Developing Early Literacies in Informal Settings: The Importance of Cultural Representation in an Aboriginal Playgroup, The International Journal of Early Childhood Learning, 25 (1-2) 29 – 43.

Reid, C., Jones Díaz, C. & Alsairai, H. (2016) Cosmopolitanism, contemporary communication theory and cultural literacy in the EAL/D classroom. TESOL in Context, 25(2), 44-63

Jones Díaz, C. (2013) Institutional, material and economic constraints in languages education: Unequal provision of linguistic resources in early childhood and primary settings in Australia. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rbeb20

Morgan, L., Chodkiewicz, A., & Jones Díaz, C. (2013) Developing Early Literacies in Informal Settings: Addressing Aspects of Language and Culture in Supported Playgroups.  International Journal of Early Childhood Learning

Recent Invited national and international Keynote addresses and papers

Jones Díaz, C (2019) Guest speaker: Thought Bites. KU Annual Conference, The power of the question, International Convention Centre, Sydney, 26th October 2019

Jones Díaz, C (2018) Validating diverse languages, identities, and cultural practices to support the transition of EAL/D students, TESOL Seminar, University of Technology, Sydney

Morgan, L. & Jones Díaz, C. (2016) Guest speakers:  Evidence based practice in local community organisations: Developing early literacies in informal settings: 2015 – 2016 Annual General Meeting , Nepean Community and Neighbourhood Services, 24th October, 2016.

Jones Díaz, C. (2015) Guest speaker: Diversity and difference: Conceptual frameworks and perspectives in promoting inclusive, transformative and responsive pedagogies, The sociocultural challenges in early childhood education: Dialogues for a collective dialogues University of Chile, 21 – 22 October, 2015. [Diversidad y diferenciea: Marcos de trabajo y perspectivas conceptuales que promueven pedagogías inclusivas transformadores y receptivas. Los desafíos socio culturales de la educación inicial: Diálogos para la construcción colectiva] Universidad de Chile, 21 y 22 de ctobre 2015].

Jones Díaz, C. (2013) Guest speaker: Insights into the interconnection between language, identity and education of bilingual children: Conference of experts, Prepare for life! Raising awareness for early literacy education, Congress Centre Leipzig, Germany, 12th -14th March, 2013

Jones Díaz, C. (2013) Keynote address: Growing up bilingual in Aotearoa, New Zealand: Belonging to the present and reclaiming the futureA call from the deep: Reclaiming our Future’1st International Pasifika ECE Conference 2013, University of Auckland, Faculty of Education,Aotearoa, 30th Jan – 1st Feb, 2013, New Zealand.

Invited professional development seminars – see promotion application

Jones Díaz, C (2014 – 2017) Bilingualism and Languages Learning. Annual Seminar presentations to Community Languages Teachers at the Community Language Induction Programs NSW DET.

Jones Díaz, C. (1914– 2021) Workshops listed below have been presented to children’s services (in local state and interstate regions) on behalf Community Services Cooperative, Families NSW Family Services Cooperative, Sydney Day Nursery Association, Free Kindergarten Union, Gowrie Child Centre, Marrickville Family Day Care, Family Day Care Association, Marrickville Library, Kindergarten Union, Ethnic Child Care Family Services Cooperative, Sydney Day Nursery Association, Marrickville, Sutherland , Canterbury, Holroid, Campbelltown and Penrith City Councils, Bankstown Community Resource Centre and Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre,  FKA Children’s Services (Vic) Maribyrnong Early Years Alliance (Maribyrnong City Council Victoria), Family Worker Training Development Program, Lindfield East Public School, Harrington Public School, Denistone East Public School, Killarney Heights Public School, Roselea Public School, NSW Federation of Community Language Schools, Amiggos Long Day Care and Preschool, and the University of Technology

  • Bi/multilingualism and languages learning in early childhood education
  • Growing up bilingual
  • Let’s talk about ‘race’, languages and cultures
  • Early literacy in early childhood education
  • Developing strong literacy in bilingual children
  • Intercultural communication
  • Cultural competence and the Early Years Framework

Jones Diaz, C (2009 – 2016) Presented workshops to parents on early childhood bilingualism and early literacy to parent groups and Community Language Schools for Banksia Cottage, Marrickville Library, Clovely Child Care Centre, Harrington Public School, Denistone East Public School and the Association for Brazilian Bilingual Children’s Development Inc.

Recent Media productions and appearances

Palma Trujillo, K. (2015) Press ReleaseSeminario discute sobre perspectivas para fortalecer la educación parvularia en Seminar discusses prospects for strengthening preschool education in Chile] http://www.facso.uchile.cl/noticias/116433/seminario-discute-perspectivas-para-fortalecer-la-educacion-parvularia. University of Chile: Faculty of Social Sciences

Jones Díaz, C. (2015) Radio interview: Educación en el Aire: Martes 20 octubre 2015. Conversamos con Criss Jones, con quien conversamos sobrea políticas educativas de primera infancia en Australia, [Education on air: Tuesday 20th October. Conversations with Criss Jones about the politics of education in early childhood in Australia]. http://radio.uchile.cl/programas/educacion-en-el-aire/hoy-estuvimos-con-criss-jones-con-quien-conversamos-sobre-politicas-educativas-de-primera-infancia-en-australia-y-con-el-economista-de-cenda-manuel-riesco-con-quien-hablamos-sobre-reformas-educaci/