Our Network

The SERA Early Years is a network and a forum for promoting professional development alongside best practice for the Early Learning and Childcare profession in Scotland. We focus on the interdisciplinary aims of education, health and social care for early education and childhood studies, as well as concerns of social justice and tackling poverty by encouraging innovation within ELC research. We also aim to sustain and forge new links with policymakers, practitioners and the public.

The members of this network are committed to expanding research-informed practice by building international partnerships: network members have established partnerships in Spain, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Italy, Australia and New Zealand. The network recognises the need to involve current students, as well as graduates working within the early education field, to learn more about the impact of sector developments on children’s outcomes, as well as promoting and critiquing practitioner research.

All with an interest in ELC are welcome to events, including those working within relevant policy and those working in practice. All ELC staff, as well as all students, including undergraduate and postgraduate are welcome. Those undertaking independent research in settings are particularly encouraged to attend.

Network Activities

All future updates can be found in the SERA Latest section of this website under the Early Years Network category.

2025

April 2025: Aline-Wendy Dunlop, Marion Burns and Nancy Allan ‘Scotland’s Role in the Early Years Workforce 4 Nations Project (EYW4N) and Quality in ELC ‘

June 2025: John McKendrick, Julia Whittaker and Janette-Kelly ‘Play and Social Justice’

November 2025: Conny Gollek, Aline-Wendy Dunlop, Lynsey Burke, Kirsten Moore, Lynn McNair, Cara Blaisdell ‘Meet the Convenors Event’

2024

October 22nd West Partnership Report: Alex Evans and James Bowness – An Evaluation of the Expansions of Funded ELC

August 29th: Jan Wilhelm Dieckmann and Mareike Pfeiffer – Play and Learning in the Transition to School and Beyond

April 25th: Liz Latto and Laura Gilbertson – Scottish Early Years Doctoral Scholar Symposium

January 19th: SERA EYN met and responded to the Draft Quality Shared Framework

2023

November: Shared Inspection Framework Conversation

Contact Information

For general enquiries or to join our mailing list, please contact the Early Years Team at: sera.early.years@gmail.com

Social Media 

X: SERA_EY

Convenors

Emeritus Professor Aline-Wendy Dunlop, University of Strathclyde

Kirsten Moore, Glasgow City Council and PhD student at the University of Edinburgh

Marion Burns, Independent Consultant

Conny Gollek, University of the West of Scotland

Lynsey Burke, University of Dundee

Amy McFarlane, University of Aberdeen

Julie Ovington, University of the West of Scotland

Caralyn Blaisdell, Queen Margaret University

Lynn McNair, University of Edinburgh