The Norland Educare Research Centre actively contributes to the early years sector by generating cutting edge research, training, and consultancy in early childhood education and care to support the very best in early years provision and in related services both nationally and internationally.

We are committed to conducting credible and ethical research and consultancy which reflect the high quality and standards of Norland’s provision; enhance staff and student research experience and expertise; and strengthen our partnerships with stakeholders to transform the lives of children and their families, to contribute to the field and impact on the wider society in general.

We do so through a three-pronged approach.

boy and Norland nanny in a garden

Our three-pronged approach

1. Supporting student research during their studies and via our Graduate Research Internship scheme

During their studies, students undertake rigorous and credible work-based projects to cultivate interrogative and critical thinking and instil confidence in seeking and substantiating evidence-based professional practice. Their work is often published by the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network.

After completing their studies, students have the opportunity to join our Graduate Research Internship scheme. Successful applicants work alongside Norland academics on research projects during the summer for a period of eight weeks. Read about our recent Graduate Research Interns

2. Enhancing Norland’s research environment and culture

Norland is committed to providing opportunities and supporting staff to engage on individual and collaborative research projects. Read about some of our ongoing and previous research projects.

3. Working with a wide range of stakeholders (be it in the voluntary, public or private sector) locally, nationally and internationally

We work closely with stakeholders to design and conduct research projects that are relevant and appropriate to their organisation’s vision, mission and strategic aims and objectives. We apply and maintain rigorous research standards, underpinned by ethical research principles, ensuring that stakeholders’ voices are heard and their needs are met. We ensure that our research contributes to our stakeholders’ knowledge and impacts on their institutional and professional practice and systems, while the dissemination of findings has wider societal impact.

Our work with stakeholders is built on trust and credibility. We ensure regular contact with them and a two-way flow of information to share findings, receive feedback and disseminate ideas in accessible language, free of jargon.

Norland Educare Research Centre

Dr Janet Rose and Dr Theodora Papatheodorou discuss the launch of the Norland Educare Research Centre.

View the inaugural issue of the Norland Educare Research Journal

Meet the team

Dr Theodora Papatheodorou - Editor in Chief, Norland Educare Research Journal

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Dr Janet Rose - Principal

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Dr Rebecca Digby - Head of Learning, Teaching and Research

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Lucy Krebs - Deputy Head of Learning and Teaching and Student Engagement Manager

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Tom Parsons - Programmes Manager and Senior Lecturer in Early Years

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Viki Bennett Kane - Principal Lecturer in Early Years

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a female smiling

Alex Morfaki - Early Years Lecturer

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Elspeth Pitman - Newly Qualified Nanny (NQN) Manager

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Enquiries

For further information or to discuss a possible research project collaboration, please contact Dr Becci Digby, Head of Learning, Teaching and Research.

Contact Becci Digby

Our research

Ongoing research projects

View ongoing projects

Previous research projects

View previous projects

Areas of research expertise – children

Children's transitions

View Lucy Krebs' profile

Mother tongue and bilingualism, and behaviour matters in the early years

View Dr Theodora Papatheodorou's profile

Areas of research expertise – family and the community

Divorce, the nanny and the family

View Tom Parsons' profile

Areas of research expertise – education and training

Student learning and assessment

View Tom Parsons' profile

The nanny student profile

View Dee Burn's profile

Sewing and community engagement

View Kate Jaeger's profile
TEF gold award
WhatUni student choice award logo
IHE inspiring course winner
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