Froebel Trust Conference 2023: Session 2

Simon Bateson is a Co-director of Froebelian Futures, a Froebel Trust funded international training and research programme which aims to develop and deepen Froebelian pedagogy and leadership in Scotland and beyond. He also teaches on the Froebel and Social Justice MSc at The University of Edinburgh. Additionally, Simon works as a senior practitioner with young children at Cowgate Under 5s in Edinburgh. He has a diverse leadership background in the arts, social justice and environmental sectors in Scotland and has served on a number of third sector boards. Simon is the founder of the Scottish social change charity, Take One Action

Susana Castro-Kemp is an Associate Professor in Psychology and Human Development at UCL's Institute of Education in London. Her research interests lie in the areas of inclusion of young children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, Early Childhood Education and Care, Education Policy and Education in the Global South. She has an extensive track record of published and funded research across these areas, often involving a transdisciplinary approach and mixed methodologies. Her most recent research focuses on the inspection process of non-domestic early education settings in England.

Donna Gaywood is a senior lecturer at the University of Gloucester and a PhD candidate at Birmingham City University and Centre for Research in Early Childhood. Her research interests are post migration and lived experiences of young refugee children.

Amanda Norman is a senior lecturer at the University of Winchester, UK. She has lectured for over 20 years, specialising in psychology and early years education. She was a co-partner of a day nursery and family centre officer for social services. In recent years she trained as a therapeutic play specialist and in counselling in education. She continues to support and liaise with early years practitioners as part of and in addition to her academic role. Her research interests combined theoretical empirical work focusing on infant care pedagogies, within and beyond the home. She is currently researching sleep pedagogies and contemporary Froebelian practices. 

Dr Angelika Popyk graduated from the University SWPS, Poland. Her research focuses on migrant children's transnational transitions from one cultural, societal, and educational context to another; children’s sense of belonging and identity formation.

Shaddai is a lecturer in early childhood studies (UK and China) at Bath Spa University and an associate lecturer at the Open University. He is a trustee for the Fatherhood Institute and an independent writer and speaker through Critical Early Years.