Research Profile

Maura Cunneen

Biography

I graduated with a B.A. (ECS) Degree having previously been a pre-school educator.   I  undertook a study of gender socialisation in the early years as the research topic for my PhD.  I have published articles related to this area of study. In 2001/02, I was awarded H.E.A. Targeted Funding to conduct research concerning Mature Students and Educational Disadvantage.  From 2004 to 2007, I conducted  research, funded by the Gender Equality Unit of the D.E.S., related to gender in the early years whose purpose was to raise awareness of this topic among parents and early years practitioners.   In 2007/08, I received funding from the C.A.C.S.S.S. Publishing Fund.   In the years 2012-2014 I was a Co-Director of the B.A. (Early Years and Childhood Studies) Degree Programme and its Director for the year 2014-15. Research interests include; gender, history, educational disadvantage, educational developments both in Ireland and other countries, comparative early years provision and curricula  and diversity/multiculturalism. 
Other areas of interest include adult literacy, community preschools and provision for the elderly.    At present, I am conducting research in the area of Transitions in the Early Years, i.e. transition from home to preschool and from preschool to primary school.

Research Interests

Dr Maura Cunneen’s impact is in the area of early years education and is co-author of the book, Loris Malaguzzi and the Reggio Emilia Experience (Bloomsbury, 2010).  She has contributed widely on gender issues in the early years as this is her main focus of research interest as many of the attitudes and behaviours evident in later years are assimilated during the first six years of life. Maura is at present conducting research on children’s transitions from home to preschool/primary school.  Other areas of research interest include comparative curricula, educational disadvantage and history. Former president of OMEP Ireland and current Director of the BA (Early Years and Childhood Studies) Degree programme, Maura presented the keynote address at the OMEP invited lectures conference in 2009, one of the keynotes at the Naíonra Conference in 2012 and contributed to the OMEP World Conference (2014) held this year in Ireland. 




Publications

Book Chapters

 YearPublication
(2010)'History Chapter'
Hall, K.; Horgan, M.;Murphy, R.;Ridgway, A.;Cunneen,M.;Cunningham, D. (2010) 'History Chapter' In: The Reggio Emilia Experience and Loris Malaguzzi. U.K: Continuum. [Details]
(2005)'Pink and Blue: Exploring Gender in the Early Years'
M. Cunneen; (2005) 'Pink and Blue: Exploring Gender in the Early Years' In: Exploring Children's Lives: A Handbook of Early Childhood Research. Cork: Early Childhood Research Unit, U.C.C. in collaboration with OMEP Ireland. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

 YearPublication
(2009)'The Rock and Water Programme: Skills for Physical-Social Teaching with Boys'
Cunneen, M. (2009) 'The Rock and Water Programme: Skills for Physical-Social Teaching with Boys'. An Leanbh Og, The Omep Journal of Early Childhood Studies, 3 :21-33 [Details]
(2008)'How does gender work?: Fathers reflections on their understanding of gender'
Cunneen, M.; (2008) 'How does gender work?: Fathers reflections on their understanding of gender'. An Leanbh Og, The Omep Journal of Early Childhood Studies, 2 (1):145-158 [Details]

Conference Publications

 YearPublication
(2006)Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Education and Care, L'Organisation Mondiale Pour L'Education Prescolaire (OMEP) [Ireland} Journal
Cunneen, M. (2006) `Girls and Boys are Different: An Exploration of Parental Responses to a Survey on Gender in the Early Years . In: Hayes, N eds. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Education and Care, L'Organisation Mondiale Pour L'Education Prescolaire (OMEP) [Ireland} Journal Dublin, , pp.312-319 [Details]
(2003)Transformations: Theory and Practice in Early Education. OMEP Ireland Conference Publication
Cunneen, M. (2003) A Portrayal of Practice: Gender Socialisation in Early Years Education and Care Settings . In: Hayes, N. and Kernan, M eds. Transformations: Theory and Practice in Early Education. OMEP Ireland Conference Publication Cork, , pp.62-178 [Details]
(2002)Lessons for the 21st Century: Research, Reflection, Renewal. OMEP Ireland Conference Publication
Cunneen, M.; (2002) Gender Socialisation from Antiquity to the Present Day . In: Horgan, M. and Douglas, F eds. Lessons for the 21st Century: Research, Reflection, Renewal. OMEP Ireland Conference Publication Dublin, , pp.84-106 [Details]

Published Reports

 YearPublication
(2002)Report of the Initiative taken under HEA Targeted Funding to Retain Students deemed to be at risk.
Douglas, F.G.; Horgan, M.A.; Cunneen, M. and Murphy, R. (2002) Report of the Initiative taken under HEA Targeted Funding to Retain Students deemed to be at risk. Dept. of Education,UCC, Cork. [Details]
(2003)Mature Students and Educational Disadvantage, with particular reference to the B.A. Degree in Early Childhood Studies at University College, Cork.
Horgan, M., Cunneen, M.; (2003) Mature Students and Educational Disadvantage, with particular reference to the B.A. Degree in Early Childhood Studies at University College, Cork. Internal Publication of H.E.A. / U.C.C, Cork. [Details]

Newspaper Articles

 YearPublication
(2003)Would you give your son a Barbie?.
Cunneen, M.C.; (2003) Would you give your son a Barbie?. Newspaper Articles [Details]

Thesis/Dissertation

 YearPublication
(2001)Study of Patterns of Gender Socialisation in Early Years Education and Care in Cork City.
Cunneen, M.C.; (2001) Study of Patterns of Gender Socialisation in Early Years Education and Care in Cork City. Thesis/Dissertation [Details]

Professional Activities

Professional Associations

 AssociationFunctionFrom / To
Early Childhood Ireland Member/
OMEP Membership Secretary/
Aontas Member/

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2002)IPPA Annual Conference,
Cunneen, M. (2002) Workshop on Gender in the Early Years. [Invited Lectures (Workshops)], IPPA Annual Conference, Dublin , 05-OCT-02 - 05-OCT-02. [Details]
(2002)OMEP Conference,
Cunneen, M. (2002) Gender Socialisation. [Oral Presentation], OMEP Conference, Dublin , 05-OCT-02 - 05-OCT-02. [Details]
(2012)Comhdhail na Naionrai Gaelacha,
Cunneen, M. (2012) Irish Medium Preschools Conference. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Comhdhail na Naionrai Gaelacha, Galway , 06-OCT-12 - 06-OCT-12. [Details]
(2009)OMEP Annual Conference,
Hall, K; Horgan, M; Murphy, R; Ridgway, A.; Cunneen, M.; Cunningham, D. (2009) The Reggio Emilia Experience: Keynote Address. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], OMEP Annual Conference, UCC , 25-APR-09 - 25-APR-09. [Details]
(2011)Creative Educations,
Cunneen, M. (2011) Early Childhood Education. [Oral Presentation], Creative Educations, UCC , 14-SEP-11 - 14-SEP-11. [Details]
(2011)Asembly: School as a Social Environment,
Cunneen, M. (2011) Play and play spaces in school environments. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Asembly: School as a Social Environment, Glucksman Gallery, UCC , 12-MAR-11 - 12-MAR-11. [Details]
(2008)L'Organisation Mondiale Pour L'Education Prescolaire [OMEP} Conference,
Cunneen, M.; (2008) The Rock and Water Programme. [Oral Presentation], L'Organisation Mondiale Pour L'Education Prescolaire [OMEP} Conference, UCC , 01-APR-08 - 02-APR-08. [Details]
(2007)L'Organisation Mondiale Pour L'Education Prescolaire [OMEP} Conference,
Cunneen, M.; (2007) How does Gender Work?. [Oral Presentation], L'Organisation Mondiale Pour L'Education Prescolaire [OMEP} Conference, UCC , 02-APR-07 - 03-APR-07. [Details]
(2005)L'Organisation Mondiale Pour L'Education Prescolaire [OMEP} Conference,
Cunnen. M.; (2005) Boys and Girls are different!!!. [Oral Presentation], L'Organisation Mondiale Pour L'Education Prescolaire [OMEP} Conference, St. Patrick¿s College, Dublin , 04-APR-05 - 05-APR-05. [Details]
(2003)Irish Preschools Playgroups Assoc. [IPPA] Conference Workshop,
Cunneen. M.; (2003) Gender. [Oral Presentation], Irish Preschools Playgroups Assoc. [IPPA] Conference Workshop, Maynooth , 01-SEP-03 - 02-SEP-03. [Details]
(2003)National Children¿s Nurseries Assoc. [NCNA] Workshop,
Cunneen. M.; (2003) Attachment. [Oral Presentation], National Children¿s Nurseries Assoc. [NCNA] Workshop, Cork , 02-APR-03 - 02-APR-03. [Details]
(2003)L'Organisation Mondiale Pour L'Education Prescolaire [OMEP} Conference,
Cunneen. M.; (2003) A Portrayal of Practice. [Oral Presentation], L'Organisation Mondiale Pour L'Education Prescolaire [OMEP} Conference, UCC , 02-APR-03 - 02-APR-03. [Details]

Committees

 CommitteeFunctionFrom / To
Curriculum Development Committee EYCS Education Module content development2010 / 2012
Executive Management Committee EYCS Co- Director B.A. (EYCS) Degree2012 / 2014
Staff/Student Committee B.A. (EYCS) School of Education Representative on Committee2011 / 2012
Creche Cois Laoi UCC Member of Board of Management2004 / 2012
Membership Secretary OMEP Membership Secretary OMEP2011 / 2013
Executive Managemant Committee, B.A. (EYCS) Member of Board of Management2010 / 2012

Employment

 EmployerPositionFrom / To
UCC College Lecturer Contract01-SEP-04 / 01-SEP-07
UCC Part-time Lecturer01-AUG-02 / 02-AUG-04
UCC Special Tutor/ Research Fellow01-AUG-01 / 02-SEP-02

Education

 YearInstitutionQualificationSubject
2001UCC PHDEarly Childhood Studies
1998UCC BAEarly Childhood Studies

Outreach Activities

 Description

                                             
Adult Literacy tutor.

Journal Activities

 JournalRoleTo / From
An Leanbh Og, The Omep Journal Of Early Childhood Studies Member of Editorial Board-

Other Activities

 Description

External Examiner for M.Ed Thesis by Research at Mary Immaculate College of Education Limerick. 2010

Past President of OMEP Ireland:  2010-2011

Visits Abroad

2006 New Zealand To attend ‘Boys in Education' Conference April 19th to May 1st 

2006 Sweden/Finland To investigate issues relating to gender Oct. 25th to Nov. 1st 

2007 Australia As above Aug 27th to Sept. 14th 

 

Teaching Activities

Teaching Interests

<< My teaching interests include the following: early years education; child development; gender; play; history of educational developments; pre-,primary and second level education in Ireland and selected countries worldwide; educational disadvantage; inclusion; comparative curricula; teaching strategies.>>

I teach on the following Modules:
ED 1010:  Historical Developments in the Irish Education Sector [Module Co-ordinator]
ED 1014:  Contemporary Issues in Early Years and Childhood Studies 2 [Module Co-ordinator]
ED 2006: Early Years and Childhood Curricula: Ideology, Pedagogy and Practice
ED 3010  Education Placemrent [Module Co-ordinator]
ED 3009: Advanced Studies in Early Years and Childhood Education
ED 6026: Early Childhood Education: Past, Present, Potential [Module Co-ordinator]

I am sole Supervisor of the following PhD. student:
Niamh Murphy
I am the Primary Supervisor of the following Cohort PhD Students in Education:
Clare O'Sullivan
Helen Murphy.
I am Second Supervisor of the following Cohort PhD. students:
Angela Tobin
Pauline Hurley
Clare Nolan

Contact details

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School of Education

Scoil an Oideachais

Leeholme, O'Donovan's Road, Cork, Ireland

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