Dr. Li Pei
Early Career Researcher in Melbourne
Dr. Li Pei is an award-winning early childhood education researcher (Ph.D., full scholarship) with advanced expertise in mixed-methods research, qualitative methodologies, and data visualisation. Her research integrates Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) and Ecological Systems Theory to critically examine how artificial intelligence, policy frameworks, and pedagogical practices intersect in shaping early childhood education.
She has published in leading peer-reviewed journals and contributed scholarly and public-facing work on AI in education, teacher practice, and early learning systems. Dr. Pei is an active member of major international organisations, including the American Psychological Association (APA), American Sociological Association (ASA), American Educational Research Association (AERA), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE), OMEP Australia, and Early Childhood Australia (ECA).
Her research has been presented at premier global conferences such as AARE, ACER, ASA (Montreal), APA Psy-in-3 (finalist), NAEYC (Washington, D.C.), CSAA, CoPEC, and 3MT Melbourne. She also serves as a reviewer for leading journals, including Early Childhood Research Quarterly, Early Childhood Education Journal, and International Journal of Early Childhood.
Dr. Pei’s work bridges research, policy, and practice, with a strong commitment to equity, innovation, and the future of AI in early childhood education. She is currently leading a new research direction: AI and Educators in Early Childhood Education.