CREATE at University of Winchester
(Centre of Research for Educational Action & Theory Exchange)
Early Years Cluster Lead
We view children as social beings who make relationships with both the human and more-than-human world they exist in. We are committed to being advocates for both children and educators, with agency of voices at the heart of research. By listening to children, families and professionals within the sector we aim to influence and inform local, national and international early childhood policy and practices.
​
Our cross-disciplinary researchers therefore draw on innovative and wide-ranging methodologies as a way of contributing to the existing discourses on pedagogies (historical and contemporary), the (re)conceptualisation of play as well as ethical care practices, professional perspectives and quality within early childhood.
​
We work with cognitive psychologist Prof. Paul Sowden and the Centre for Real-world Learning as well as regional schools on the Arts Council-funded Creativity Collaborative, focussed on embedding creativity in the school curriculum.
​
We have particular research strengths in psychological views of development, social justice and Froebelian philosophies, underpinned by both more traditional methodologies, as well as creative and auto/biographical research.
​​
AIMS
Early Childhood Education is an important and expanding area in the Faculty of Education and the Arts. Responding to this the cluster aims to:​​
-
Encourage and facilitate staff and students to conduct research
-
Disseminate research findings to the academic world and beyond - professional and general audiences
-
Build on members' established track records and continued presence in international forums
-
Enhance the research environment through developing student capacity, by increasing the recruitment of PGR and Masters students within the ambit of the research centre
-
Contribute to the research environment of REF UoA 2029 Education
-
Advance the impact agenda of the REF and of the University; and assist members in continuing to generate income for the University through bids for project work and consultancy roles.
-
Strengthening and building upon local links and relationships across the field of early years education.