Little Minds Team
Principal Investigators:
Dr Kimberley Bartholomew, Associate Professor Physical Education, School of Education and Lifelong Learning, UEA.
https://research-portal.uea.ac.uk/en/persons/kimberley-bartholomew
Kimberley is a researcher with expertise in motivation and wellbeing in children and young people. Her research is primarily based within the framework of self-determination theory and aims to (i) accurately measure and map the motivational determinants of adaptive and maladaptive engagement in educational contexts; and (ii) utilise this information to inform the implementation and evaluation of intervention programmes designed to facilitate optimal motivation, performance, and wellbeing. Kim regularly engages in consultancy work in this area and is a non-executive director of a social enterprise which supports ‘at risk’ children and young people re-engage in learning activities.
Dr Kate Russell, Associate Professor Physical Education and Sport, School of Education and Lifelong Learning, UEA.
https://research-portal.uea.ac.uk/en/persons/kate-russell
Kate is a researcher with expertise in mental health and wellbeing in a range of educational and sporting contexts. This includes how mindfulness can support teacher agency as well now exploring the potential role of mindfulness in supporting early years language skills. She also researches gender and sexualities in sport and leisure settings, and in teacher education programmes. She is also Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist as well as certified Mindfulness teacher.
Co Investigators:
Mrs Eleanor Milligan, Lecturer Primary Education, School of Education and Lifelong Learning, UEA.
https://research-portal.uea.ac.uk/en/persons/eleanor-milligan
Eleanor comes to this project with experience of working as an early years teacher and leader prior to her work in higher education. More recently, alongside other early years responsibilities at UEA, she has engaged in small scale research projects and evaluated the Community Communication Champions Project for the Norwich Opportunity Area.
Dr Allie Welsh, Senior Lecturer Physical Activity and Health, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University.
https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/staff/dr-allie-welsh/
Senior Research Associate:
Mrs Emma Clough Emma.Clough@uea.ac.uk
Emma is an experienced early years and key stage 1 teacher, who is passionate about children's mental health and wellbeing. She has completed research into the sustainability of the early childhood education and care sector; children's autonomy in the classroom; and action research with reception children designing a literacy intervention to support the development of communication, speak and language skills.
Research Associates:
Millie Daviss
Lois Ferguson
Content Expert Group:
Professors Pascal and Bertram, and Dr Lyndon are all members of the Centre for Research in Early Childhood, Birmingham (https://www.crec.co.uk/) and are world leading experts in the field of early years. They bring 25 years worth of experience working in national and international policy and practice contexts. The centre shapes state of art reviews on current practice whilst seeking innovative ways to encourage hearing the voice of young children. They will act as critical friends to the research team, as well as being key contributors to the CEG. Their insight into ‘what works’ in early years settings and what are the most relevant literacy and wellbeing concerns of the sector are invaluable to the project.
Dr Stephanie Holt is an Educational Psychologist who completed their doctoral work on the role of mindfulness in an early year setting. They bring expertise into the role of mindfulness as an intervention approach, methodological design expertise in working in early years setting, and an awareness of how other educational professionals integrate mindfulness into practice.
Our two early years practitioners/teachers (Sarah Riley and Suzie Squirrel-Hughes) form our subject knowledge experts and will also act as site leaders for the roll out of the intervention. Their contribution is essential to a relevant and authentic project to support speech, language, and communication development in young children.
Dr Geoff Wong (Oxford University) is a realist methodology expert and provides specific advice as to the delivery of the project. His role will be to ensure a genuine reflection of the realist action research approach, providing guidance and instruction as the project unfolds.