Staff experience of their engagement in research and knowledge exchange
Read more about our researchActive Research Pathways and voluntary engagement in research activities
Academics have an individualised Active Research Pathway which involves committing to the research and knowledge exchange activities they’ll be engaging in over the coming academic year. The Research Manager provides bespoke mentoring to each academic and enables non academics to undertake become involved in research if they wish. In addition, staff from all university departments are invited to volunteer to join the Research Conference Working Party and help organise the annual Norland Research Conference.
Staff experience
Kate Gingles, Early Years Lecturer
“The research conference felt very inclusive of all staff. It was lovely to have an opportunity to be part of the planning committee and to be able to support students to present their work-based projects.”
Emma Ovington, Student Support Advisor
“I received mentorship from Lisa and Rimsha through a voluntary research assistant role within the Emotion Coaching project, where I developed skills in conducting literature reviews, including quality-checking references using the Retraction Watch database and organising citations with Mendeley, while also contributing to the ethics application process by reviewing references to ethical guidelines and gaining valuable insight into how ethical frameworks inform research practice and decision-making.
During the data analysis phase, moderation discussions strengthened my understanding of research methods and qualitative analysis using NVivo, which also benefits my work supporting students with their research projects; additionally, opportunities to co-present with Rimsha at the Norland research webinar series (February 2026) and annual Norland conference (June 2026) enhanced my confidence in public speaking and consolidated my understanding of the research process, findings, and their significance within the Early Years field.”
Dr Rimsha Taqdees, Research Assistant
“Working at Norland has provided valuable opportunities to apply and build on my existing research experience within a new area of research. Through involvement in data analysis, manuscript writing and research bid development, I’ve been able to broaden my research skills and contribute to ongoing research and knowledge dissemination activities.”
Tara Nolty, Early Years Lecturer
“Lisa Gentle has been tremendous in her support for me and my academic research pathway. She is a passionate, knowledgeable, and an ethical mentor who sets ambitious targets. She listens and, when her proposals aren’t entirely in line with what one thinks they might be ready for, she provides opportunities that could serve as smaller steps towards a particular goal or instead, an alternative that proves a better fit for one’s professional research journey. I have recently completed a chapter submission and am awaiting feedback. Lisa was pivotable in supporting aspects of this submission particularly, my developing understandings around the complexities of attachment theory. She provided a handful of sources for me to work through and even shared her time to talk these through with me. Her advice really helped to refine and clarify my discussion positioning and as a result, I felt more confident with my submission.”
Antony Wainer, Student Support Advisor
“[The mentoring] meeting was extremely helpful in enabling me to carefully consider the differences between an EdD and a PhD and to reflect on which pathway best aligned with my academic aspirations. The guidance provided by Lisa was both supportive and constructive, particularly in affirming my choice of venue. I was encouraged to engage in extensive reading in preparation and was offered a range of valuable ideas and strategies for approaching and critically engaging with the literature I had been exploring. The meeting was thoughtful, fair, and well facilitated, creating a supportive environment in which I could develop my own ideas and reach my own conclusions. Rather than directing my thinking, the approach encouraged reflection, independence, and intellectual ownership, which made the discussion particularly valuable.”
Mentorship and Writing Retreats
The Research Department provides bespoke mentoring to our academics with Active Research Pathways. The tailored support individuals received is complemented by a series of five annual Writing Retreats, which provide protected time for focused research and writing activities. Alongside which, there are formal and informal opportunities for skills development to build confidence, strengthen research practice and enhance knowledge exchange.
Staff experience
Penny Bullion-Peters, Food and Nutrition Lecturer
“The Writing Retreats provide dedicated protected time to focus on research away from the competing demands of day-to-day teaching. They give me space to explore ideas in greater depth and make meaningful progress on projects that would otherwise be difficult to prioritise”
Lucy Krebs, Deputy Head of Teaching and Learning and Programme Leader (Norland diploma)
“The Writing Retreats are really helpful, the check-ins help us to be accountable for our targets, and I appreciate having ringfenced time to work toward my PhD.“
Tara Nolty, Early Years Lecturer
“Writing Retreats have been an important addition to the Norland calendar. Sessions have evolved substantially into, what I feel is, an effective community of practice where much needed time and head space is afforded for academic reading, writing, and discussion. It is a valued relational space that fuels a range of academic and research focused endeavours. I really appreciate having the writing retreats dotted throughout my academic timetable and enjoy working independently and with colleagues within this space.”
Kate Gingles, Early Years Lecturer
“The Writing Retreats provide a dedicated opportunity to touch base and also allow us to hear about what others are doing.”
Dawn Evans, Early Years Lecturer
“The Norland Writing Retreats have provided dedicated space and time for me to pursue my research interests at Norland. It has enabled me valuable time for research , reading and writing outside of my other commitments. The writing retreats have encouraged me to be part of the research community at Norland as they have enabled me to find out about the active research of colleagues which has been inspiring, interesting and informative. The writing retreats have been well planned and organised effectively occurring at regular intervals throughout the academic year.”
Read the latest news from Norland University of Early Childhood
Major early years study involving Norland finds positive impact of Emotion Coaching on young children
Read more
Norland launches two dedicated bursary schemes worth up to £10,000 a year for Bath College students and local residents
Read more
