Adelaide has new thinker

One of the world's leading experts on early childhood development, Dr Fraser Mustard, is South Australia's latest Thinker in Residence.

Dr Mustard launched his term in SA recently at the University of Adelaide as part of a four-speaker panel addressing the issue of "Early Childhood Development - The Dawn of a Paradigm Shift", sponsored by the University's Research Centre for Reproductive Health.

A Canadian academic, Dr Mustard co-chaired the Early Years Study for the Government of Ontario in 1998, considered a landmark study both for Canada and for the rest of the world.

In 2005 Dr Mustard established the world-leading Canadian Council for Early Childhood Development, a body which brings together community and scientific networks, business, education, health, research, early childhood development communities and private citizens - all championing the study's recommendations.

"Dr Mustard will assist South Australia in becoming a national and international leader in early childhood, providing us with strategic advice on the future of this field," according to Brenda Kerr, Director of the Adelaide Thinkers in Residence program.

The State Government program brings world-leading thinkers to live and work in Adelaide for a period of two to six months.