Research Interests

Carmen’s Research Interests focus on early childhood education and primary teaching strategies. Carmen is also interested in issues such as anti-discrimination, inclusion and diversity and ensuring children’s rights within primary school contexts.
Other research areas include teacher professional development, pedagogy and practice, teacher identity and school cultures.

Research Projects

Crossing borders in performative times: new teachers, the performance of liminality and the co-construction of professional identity in schools (2010-11)

Carmen is currently working with colleagues within the department on a cross phase project involving pre-service teacher’s perceptions of their developing identity in the classroom through their interactions with their pupils.

Reviewing Educational Interventions and on Outcomes for Disadvantaged Children (2010)

Adult Involvement in the Musical Play of Children (2007-2009)

Carmen was involved in the University of Exeter’s action research-based project which was funded through Youth Music. The project was exploring the musicality of children from birth to five within Children’s Centres.

Investigating effective teaching influences on the developing awareness of socio-cultural consciousness of trainee primary school teachers

Carmen’s PhD research study focuses on the impact of teacher assumptions to pupil attainment.