Marcella Towler

Marcella Towler is a Lecturer at the School of Education, University College Cork (UCC), where she has been employed since 2010. She holds a BA in Early Childhood Studies from UCC and a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Her research focuses on play discourses in early childhood education, the Froebelian approach, and curriculum frameworks like Síolta, Aistear, and Ireland's Free Preschool Year. She mentors a preschool in Lesotho using the Aistear framework and explores emergent curriculum, STEAM in early childhood, and inclusive education for children with special needs.

Her research spans historical and contemporary pedagogical theories, with a focus on integrating Froebel's principles into modern curricula. She collaborates with Dr. Alison Moore on a Froebel Trust-funded project examining outdoor learning spaces and has contributed to peer-reviewed journals and conferences. She teaches modules such as 'Children's Social and Cultural Worlds' and 'Early Childhood Pedagogy' and coordinates postgraduate modules on play and contemporary issues in education.

Her publications emphasize cross-cultural curriculum implementation, STEAM education, and sustainable practices. She has participated in OMEP and EECERA conferences, delivering presentations on play, curriculum development, and international collaborations. Her outreach includes mentoring Lesotho preschools and advising postgraduate students on topics like play-based learning, inclusion, and outdoor education.