Nurturing Knowledge; reflections on CREC’s growing PhD footprint.
CREC annual doctoral event by Dr Helen Lyndon
The annual doctoral event at CREC is set to become one of the highlights of the early childhood calendar as we celebrate the innovative research being undertaken, the knowledge being generated and the legacy of CREC’s doctoral alumni. Earlier this year were delighted to be joined by our doctoral community, their guests as well as current research students for an afternoon of presentations. Seven presentations offered a flavour of the most recent doctoral completions and gave our alumni the opportunity to show how their research has continued to develop. I was particularly struck by the passion and commitment to the sector that we all felt in the room. The CREC doctoral community now stretches to over 30 students, including me, and we’re quite a formidable community of practice.
To begin proceedings Dr Mine Conkbayir shared aspects of her own doctoral journey as well as post-doc research into parental imprisonment. Since completing her doctorate, Mine has launched a podcast series and has also been honoured with an MBE.
Dr Louise Hannan, early childhood course leader, shared her motivations for researching the emotional environments of 2-year-olds and was delighted to be able to share her recently published journal article.
Dr June O’Sullivan, CEO of LEYF, explored the development of a sustainability informed workforce through her doctoral research and continues to support developing leadership, research-informed pedagogy and a social impact legacy through her podcast.
Newly appointed at The National Portrait Gallery, Dr Nicola Wallis shared her exploration of young children’s engagement with museum objects. Nicola is now convenor of the EECERA Special Interest Group looking at young children’s art and cultural experiences and has published part of her doctoral findings in EECERJ.
Dr Baljit Gill, CREC’s most recent completion, exemplified her analysis strategy for the group; diffractive analysis supported Baljit in paying equal attention to the materials and the non-human aspects of her enquiry and Baljit is one of the first CREC doctors to challenge herself through New Materialism.
Dr Sharon Colilles’ thesis explored how play-based pedagogies support mix-ethnic identity formation. Since graduating Sharon has continued to focus on inclusive practice and has since published aspects of her doctorate in EECERJ.
Dr Donna Gaywood, newly appointed EECERA Trustee, closed the event reflecting on her thesis that explored the lived experiences of refugee children. Donna has gone on to publish various articles on her thesis including in EECERJ and for some time has lead the special interest group for children of migrant and refugee families.
Professor Chris Pascal said ‘It was such an inspiring, affirmative and joyful event. Each [presentation] made a deep, academic, professional and emotional contribution. The commonality between all presentations was in shared values and deep commitment to social justice which of course are at the core of CREC’s mission.’
Undertaking doctoral study is hard but rewarding, and CREC’s community of practice is renowned for ensuring that nobody feels isolated. We meet regularly at Leaning Circle (all welcome) and often find ways to connect through conferences and research opportunities. We are all looking forward to the CREC doctoral celebration 2027 and excited as another seven members of the community will be celebrating their recent/ near completion.
Watch this space!
CREC annual doctoral event by Dr Helen Lyndon