Ms Siobhan O'Connor

I joined the Early Childhood Studies team at CCCU in 2008, assuming the role of Programme Director in 2014. Since then, I have led the design of the programme to support the transition students experience as they start their academic studies, through modules such as ‘being, belonging and becoming’, through to becoming graduates of early childhood studies and advocates for young children, their families, and communities. I am currently involved in several projects associated with alumni engagement in early childhood degrees, inclusion within HE and marginalised voices. My research-led teaching focuses on babies and young children’s earliest learning, development and growth, children as co-constructors of knowledge and associated participatory methodological approaches that support children’s engagement in research to explore themes such as ‘what makes us human’ and ‘food insecurity’. My academic interests are primarily associated with marginalised voices and removing barriers to learning and participation, a values-based approach to pedagogy and professional identity within the field of early childhood, and children as co-constructors of knowledge.