Norland hosts annual research conference celebrating the impact of early years research
13 July 2026
On 23 June, Norland hosted the Norland Annual Research Conference at its Oldfield Park campus, bringing together staff, academics and students to share current research and explore how Norland’s scholarship activities advance understandings of early childhood.
The conference highlighted both the importance of research in the early years and the breadth of Norland’s growing research activity. Topics ranged from practitioner identity and inclusive assessments to nutrition, emotional wellbeing and student-led inquiry, showcasing the variety of active research pathways across Norland. The event also reflected Norland’s commitment to raising the profile of early years research in higher education and further strengthens its position as a leading specialist provider.
Norland welcomed Dr Sara Bonetti, an independent early years researcher with over 20 years of experience working across government, non-profit and research institutions. Dr Bonetti, who is also a Visting Scholar at Middlesex University, delivered the keynote, ‘Being and becoming with babies? Identity, practice and the questions that shape us’.
In her interactive session, Sara shared insights from her research into what makes for high-quality provision in baby rooms in nurseries. Drawing on sector engagement, she highlighted the central role of relationships, reflective practice and professional identity. Her findings emphasised that high-quality care goes beyond ratios and routines, instead centring on connection, expertise and the experiences of babies and their families.
Following the keynote, attendees chose from a range of talks throughout the day.
- Norlander and Deputy Head of Teaching and Learning Lucy Krebs presented ‘What is voice? Messiness, ethics and power in the research process’. Lucy, who alongside lecturing is currently studying for a PhD at Anglia Ruskin University, explored the unique perspective that nannies bring to their work with children, shedding light on environments that have previously been under-represented in research.
- Krystal Le Doare, a Chemistry PhD student at the University of Bath, shared her research on how watercress contains natural compounds that may help absorb ammonia or block the reactions that produce it, potentially reducing nappy rash.
- Norland’s Research Assistant Dr Rimsha Taqdees and Student Support Officer Emma Smith presented jointly on ‘Outcomes from a thematic analysis of Emotion Coaching case studies’. They shared preliminary findings from the Norland Educare Research Centre’s involvement in a collaborative research project with Emotion Coaching UK.
- Food and Nutrition Lecturer Penny Bullion-Peters shared her work on how the textures of ultra-processed foods consumed in toddlerhood may influence later food choices.
- Dr Harriet Pattison, Editor-in-Chief of the Norland Educare Research Journal, and Dr Sarah Gillie, Senior Lecturer in Education and Childhood at the University of the West of England, reflected on reviewing, selecting, adapting and applying theory in academic research and writing.
- Early Years Lecturer Dawn Evans, Principal Lecturer Tamsin Grimmer and Programme Leader (Postgraduate) Viki Bennett Kane presented an overview of their involvement in the inclusive assessment research project exploring alternative assessment approaches to enhance students’ skills and confidence. This collaborative project titled, Beyond Adjustments: Transforming Assessment for Meaningful Inclusion is led by Arizona State University London (ASU-London) and partners Norland, Richmond the American International University in London, as well as Independent Higher Education, Applied Inspiration, Disabled Students UK and the National Association of Disabled Practitioners.
- Early Years Lecturer and Norlander Pollyanna Whitehead presented ‘Entangled identities of care: early years practitioners becoming mothers’, exploring the complex identity shift that occurs when practitioners become mothers.
- Sewing Lecturer Jo Price reflected on her journey into research, including overcoming self-doubt, embracing change and developing new skills.
- Early Years Lecturer Kate Gingles, discussing how her research journey has both stemmed from and raised questions about mathematics.
During the breaks, third-year students presented findings from their work-based projects – a significant piece of undergraduate research undertaken in their final year, bringing together learning from across their degree studies. Students choose a topic they’re passionate about or have identified as under-researched, produce a literature review, collect data while on placement and write a dissertation based on their findings. This year’s topics included home education, ethnicity and identity, belonging as a third-culture child, navigating support in early motherhood, and how children conceptualise community.
The conference concluded with remarks from Principal Dr Janet Rose, who reflected on the importance of continuing to grow Norland’s research culture and champion the role of early years scholarship in higher education. By creating space for staff and students to share ideas, question practice and develop new lines of inquiry, Norland’s annual research conference demonstrates a strong commitment to contributing meaningful research to the sector and elevating the status of early childhood studies.
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