Leah O’Toole

Dr. Leah O’Toole is an Associate Professor in the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education at Maynooth University. She holds a visiting fellowship at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Her work focuses on relational pedagogy, bioecological theory, and challenging neoliberal approaches to early education. Key projects include the Erasmus+ THRIECE initiative and the SCOTENS historical study of Irish early childhood education. She co-leads the BA in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning program.

• PhD in Psychology with focus on educational transitions
• Co-author of influential texts like Introducing Bronfenbrenner
• Principal Investigator for major grants including the PSI evaluation and SCOTENS

Research interests include parental involvement, inclusive curriculum design, and policy advocacy for equitable early childhood systems. Her work bridges academic theory with practitioner needs through participatory methodologies.