Prior to joining the University of the West of Scotland, I was employed as a practitioner and Head of Centre in the early years sector for a number of years. My current role is Lecturer in Education (Childhood Studies / Childhood Practice) and I teach across a range of modules on these programmes, as well as contributing to early years related inputs on PGDE (Primary) and BA Education programmes in the School of Education.

My research interests include early years pedagogy and practice and the professional identity of practitioners and students working within the early years sector.

I am currently involved in a funded research project for the Scottish Government which involves working with Local Authority early learning and childcare establishments to explore the impact of parctitioner professional identity upon young children's skills in talking and listening. This research direction will be extended further through studt towards PhD and also forms  a workstream within a multidisciplinary research project within University of the West of Scotland, involving School of Education, School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery and School of Media, Culture and Society.

To extend scope of this research study by collaborating with internal and external partners.

Local Authorities- early learning and childcare providers. 

Partner provider/ private early learning and childcare providers.