I am currently the course leader for the full time BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree. I teach on several undergraduate modules and supervise both undergraduate and post graduate research projects. I am currently involved in a research project with a colleague relating to our Forest Schools area. I am also involved in supporting the Institute of Education at Staffs with our recruitment and outreach activity. I have held external examiner roles with a number of universities.
I have been at Staffordshire University since 2015, prior to that I was Course Leader for the Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies at a partner college for 5 years. Before that I held various roles in a range of early childhood education and care settings from starting out as a parent helper in a local pre-school spanning 10 years.
Professional memberships and activities
BERA (British Education Research Association)
Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
Academic qualifications
Current study- Professional Doctorate in Education
SFHEA
MA Early Childhood Studies
Early Years Professional Status
BA (Hons) early Childhood Studies Top-up
FdA Early Childhood Studies
Expertise
Early years workforce reform
Speech and language delay and difficulty in young children
Care and education of 0-8
Early years practitioner's professional development
Research interests
Early years workforce reform
Early years educators’ professional development
Professional identity
Teaching
Child development
Research projects
Children, family and society
Publications
I have presented research at two of the universities early years conferences, the first concerned with the impact of pacifiers upon children’s speech and language development and the second was a critical examination of the current state/status of the early years workforce in England.