Dr Louise Webber
Profiles

Dr Louise Webber

Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies

Plymouth Institute of Education (Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business)

BA Hons Early Childhood Studies Lecturer

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Education, (2010-2015), Plymouth University.
  • Master of Education, (2003-2005),Open University.
  • Advanced Diploma in Child Development, (2001-2003), Open University.
  • Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills Status (QTLS) (2011), Institute for Learning.
  • Certificate in Education, (1999-2001), Plymouth University.
  • D32, D33 Assessor’s Awards, (2000), Petroc College (formerly East Devon).
  • NVQ 3 in Playwork, (1999), Petroc College (formerly East Devon).
  • NNEB (Nursery Nursing), (1988-1990), Petroc College (formerly North Devon)

Professional membership

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) (2014)

Teaching interests

My teaching interests include professional practice, research methods and developmental perspectives.


Current Teaching:
ED002 - Studying Learning, Learning to Study
ED004 - Independent Inquiry
EEC411 - An Introduction to Early Childhood Studies
EEC432 - Multi-Professional Perspectives: Working Together in the Early Years
EEC527 - Developing Communication in the Early Years
EEC526 - Work Based Learning
EEC522 - Working with a Range of Professionals: The Impact on Young Children



Staff serving as external examiners

Cardiff Met University - BA Hons Early Years Education and Professional Practice with Early Years Practitioner Status (EYPS)

Research interests

Doctorate research title: 'Mature Women and Higher Education: Reconstructing Identity and Family Relationships'.

My past and current research mainly focuses upon the effects of identity transformation on mature women and the family unit as a whole, through a consideration of the impact of HE on family life. I am interested in the narrative accounts of women students (Undergraduate and Professional Doctorate) who juggle study and family lives. The themes of identity change, transformations and family capital are central to my research.

More recently I have researched into the effects of studying on family life from a child's perspective and I have begun to explore Foundation Year Students' experiences of studying.

Key publications

Key publications are highlighted

Journals

Webber, L. & Dismore, H. (2020) Mothers and higher education: balancing time, study and space,  Journal of Further and Higher Education, DOI: 10.1080/0309877X.2020.1820458

Articles
Webber L & Dismore H 2020 'Mothers and higher education: balancing time, study and space' Journal of Further and Higher Education 1-15 , DOI Open access
Webber L 2020 'Researching with children using Skype interviews and drawings: methodological and ethical issues explored' Journal of Early Childhood Research 18, (4) 339-353 , DOI Open access
Webber LA, Goodall H, Wickett K & Huggins V 2017 'From student to graduate: Four learners’ perspectives of the professional doctorate journey' Management in Education , DOI Open access
Webber LA 2017 'Women, higher education and family capital: ‘i could not have done it without my family!’' Research in Post-Compulsory Education , DOI Open access
Webber LA 2017 ''Supporting professional doctorate women students through identity change and turbulent times: who cares?'' Pastoral Care in Education , DOI Open access
Webber L 2017 'A school’s journey in creating a relational environment which supports attachment and emotional security' Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties 1-15 , DOI Open access
Webber L 2015 'Mature women and higher education: reconstructing identity and family relationships' Research in Post-Compulsory Education 20, (2) 208-226 , DOI Open access
Webber L 2014 'Accessing HE for non-traditional students: ‘Outside of my position’' Research in Post-Compulsory Education 19, (1) 91-106 , DOI Open access
Books
Webber L 2017 Juggling Higher Education Study and Family Life. Trentham Books Limited

Conferences organised

Conferences Attended:

SRHE Conference for Newer and Early Career Researchers, Coldra Court Hotel, Wales,December 2017, ’My mummy studies’ – An investigation into the effects of higher education on family life’ .

Mature Learners in Further and Higher Education: a symposium, Plymouth University,June 2017, 'Juggling Higher Education Studies and Family Life'.

Petroc Scholarly Activity Conference, Barnstaple College, June 2017, 'Juggling Higher Education Studies and Family Life'.

SRHE Conference for Newer and Early Career Researchers, Celtic Manor Hotel, Wales,December 2016, 'Women and Professional Doctorates: Changing professional identity and family relationships'.

Inaugural International Research Conference organised by the Further Education Research Association (FERA), Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, 12th July 2014, ‘Mature Women and Higher Education:Threatening or enriching marital relationships?’

Early Childhood Workforce Conference, 20th June 2014, Plymouth University, ‘Being a Mature Early Years Degree Student: Certainties, Challenges and Opportunities’.