Dr Karen Vincent

Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education

Karen Vincent is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education in the Faculty of Education at Canterbury Christ Church University. Her experience as a teacher in a variety of school settings with a particular interest in the earliest years of learning, has led to her practice based pedagogical research interests. Karen supports the professional learning and development of new educators in early childhood, leading on the placement modules in early childhood studies. She is secretary of the International Professional Development Association as well as a member of TACTYC and the Chartered College of Teaching. 

Karen has taught in all age phases of education. specialising in the earliest years of education. At CCCU she has been the programme director for the Primary Education Progression Route, Assistant Faculty Director or Primary Education as well as the Early Childhood Studies course lead.

Karen's research interests are rooted in narrative pedagogies. Her doctoral study examined the values and beliefs of early childhood initial teacher educators. She is currently involved in a participatory research project with two settings to examine the impact of their outdoor learning spaces. 

Research Projects

  • An exploration of a HE learning experience: undergraduate students researching with children as co-constructors of knowledge and the impact on identity. Researcher(s): Mrs Kerry Holman. Supervisor(s): Dr Karen Vincent, Dr Christian Beighton. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • How does the experience of safeguarding and child protection simulation develop the confidence of Primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) students to manage safeguarding scenarios?. Researcher(s): Mrs Penny Webb. Supervisor(s): Dr Karen Vincent, Professor Adrian Holliday. [Postgraduate Research Project]

The International Professional Development Association