معرفی
Sharon Colilles is a Professor (Reader) in Inclusive Early Childhood Education at Bath Spa University’s School of Education. She leads on modules like 'Play' and 'Dissertation' and co-leads the Research Centre in Early Childhood (REaCH). Her research focuses on inclusive education, methodologies in early years, and anti-oppressive practices, with projects like 'Representation Matters' examining inclusive pedagogies and resource representation. She is a Wellcome Trust-funded researcher in the 'We Are The People' disability research network and holds roles with the Froebel Trust, Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network, and Early Education. Sharon has a diverse career spanning policy, nursery management, and non-statutory guidance development for the Department for Education's Birth to Five Matters framework.
Education:
- PhD: Education (How play-based pedagogies support mixed ethnicity identity formation), Birmingham City University (2014–2020)
- Masters in Early Years (Children’s Cultural Identity through Stories and Storytelling), Leeds Beckett University (2012)
- BA (Hons) Childhood Studies, Leeds Beckett University (2011)
Research Interests:
- Inclusive pedagogies and anti-discriminatory practices in early childhood
- Play-based learning and its impact on identity formation
- Policy analysis of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) frameworks
- Community-university collaborations for disability research
Publications & Media:
- Contributions to A Manifesto for Early Childhood (2024, pending)
- Recent articles on inclusive pedagogies and reflective practice in early years journals
- Podcast series episodes on inclusive education, reflective practice, and child voice advocacy
Awards & Grants:
- £1 million Wellcome Trust Research Development Award (2021–2026)
Teaching & Leadership:
- Co-lead of REaCH and Froebel Trust Education Research subcommittee
- Associate trainer for Early Education and member of multiple professional networks
Labs & Collaborations:
- We Are The People disability research network (Wellcome Trust-funded)
- Research collaborations with local communities on inclusive education
