Race and Early Childhood Education: An International Approach to Identity, Politics, and Pedagogy

Glenda Mac Naughton has worked in the early childhood field for over 35 years. She is currently a Professor in the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, at the University of Melbourne University where she established and now directs the Centre for Equity and Innovation in Early Childhood (CEIEC). Glenda has researched, published, and been involved in teaching and learning about social justice and equality issues in early childhood for the past 25 years. She has been researching the racialisation of children’s identities and pedagogies for social justice since the late 1990s. Two recently published books with CEIEC colleagues focus on action research in early childhood (with Patrick Hughes) and Young Children as Citizens (with Kylie Smith and Patrick Hughes).

Karina Davis is currently a Research Fellow and Lecturer at the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Equity and Innovation in Early Childhood in the Melbourne Graduate School of Education. In her work in early childhood, she examines how postcolonial and white identity theories can be used with early years educators to explore how they can examine, critique, and rethink their work in regards to cultural diversity. In her work with the CEIEC, Karina leads the research theme ‘Identities, equity and pedagogies for social change’ and has been actively involved in leading and working with both young children and adults in projects focused on a range of topics including identity, curriculum, and policy. Karina has contributed to a number of edited volumes and journals and this is her first edited book.