We thought you might like to get to know the Early Childhood team a little better so for the next three weeks we will be introducing ourselves….
Dr Jackie Musgrave, Programme Lead for Early Childhood
My doctoral and post-doctoral research brings together my interest in early childhood education and child health. I have taught Early Childhood students in Further and Higher Education institutions for more than 20 years. I am Vice-Chair of the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network with a responsibility for Research and Knowledge. I am committed to helping ECS students to develop their voice as researchers. I have been Programme Lead for Early Childhood at the OU since October 2017 and I feel privileged to be part of the excellent, knowledgeable and supportive team.
Thanks Jackie. Can you tell us….
- The last book you read. For work – Health for All Children, it always inspires me to think of ways that early childhood practitioners can support and promote children’s health. On holiday – novels that are set in Devon or Cornwall. Or anything that is a page turner and easy to read, mixed in with a re-visit to the classics, such as Little Women and Jane Eyre. Or I start to read something I haven’t read by Dickens and then after a few pages realise why I have only got through Oliver Twist, even though Dickens writes of the poverty and hardship inflicted on children so well and much of his writing has inspired my fascination with the history of childhood. Writing this, I am reminded, must try harder with reading Dickens!
- Your ideal holiday destination? Devon
- What you do in your spare time? Walk the dog, gardening, reading and knitting
Professor Jane Payler, Professor of Education (Early Years)
My research and publications, recognised internationally, focus on sociocultural perspectives on young children’s interactive learning processes, inter-professional practice, professional development of the early childhood workforce, and children’s positioning in research. I have researched, taught, examined, published and practised in early years education and care for over twenty-five years in three universities and two colleges. I am a former Chair of TACTYC: Association for Professional Development in Early Years and former Co-Director of the Children’s Research Centre at the OU. I have advised governments in the development of standards for graduate leaders in the early years, EYPS and EYT, contributed to numerous government consultations and developed a wide range of curricula for early childhood from vocational courses through to university doctoral level study.
Dr Natalie Canning, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood
My research is centred on children’s play, especially how children are empowered in play. I come from a play work and social work background, supporting children to explore personal, social and emotional development through play. I have published within the field of professional development, children’s play, empowerment and creative spaces and have taught across various EC undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. I am co-convenor of the European EC and Education Special Interest Group in Outdoor Play and on the committee for TACTYC: Association for Professional Development in EY. I am also a member of the Children’s Research Centre at the OU.
Thanks Natalie. What do you like to do when you are not working?
My main interest outside of work is horses. Over the years I have been lucky enough to own quite a few. When I was a teenager, I tried out for the British Eventing youth team but now I am a lot older I do lower level competitions! I do a bit of everything, dressage, show jumping and eventing. In the picture I am at Crown Farm in the Cotswolds doing cross country on Romeo. I have just bought a young horse called Albert who is very willing to learn. I think horses are amazing. They are really the only animal that lets you sit on them and allows you to do all sorts of things that must seem very strange to them. They are half a ton of animal, yet they put complete trust in you to guide them around a course of jumps or do complicated movements in a relatively small space in a dressage arena. We put them in vehicles and take them all over the country and usually they have a better wardrobe of rugs and accessories than the average human!
Karen Horsley, Lecturer in Early Childhood
I joined The Open University in 2015 as a Lecturer in Early Childhood. I contributed to the production of the new Early Childhood degree and I am the current Chair of E109. Prior to this I was a Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies (University of East London). I have worked in research and practice in a variety of early years settings. I have written for early childhood publications and presented at the European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA). I am currently undertaking a professional doctorate with young children from migrant backgrounds exploring their ‘funds of knowledge’ through participatory documentary photography.
Thanks Karen – can you tell us some fun facts about you?
Last book: Aunt Severe and the toy thieves (read with my daughter)
Holiday: somewhere with some sun, a nice view and something new to do (I was fortunate to swim with dolphins a few years ago!) Anywhere with time with my family (something funny or crazy usually happens!)
Favourite joke: What did one tree say to the other tree? …. Nothing it’s a tree! (Fav joke from my friend Fletcher aged 3)
Thanks all! Join us w/b 14th September to meet some more members of the team….