Dr Glenda Walsh

General Information

Teaching Responsibilities

• Programme Leader of the Doctorate in Educational Professional Practice (DProf)
• Coordinates the doctoral module Interrogating Educational Professional Practice
• Course Director for the Post Graduate Certificate in Early Years
• Teaches a number of modules informed by her research interest across a range of different programmes including the BEd, PGCE, MA and Early Childhood Studies degree programmes.
• Module coordinator for the MA in Early Childhood Studies Module Quality Pedagogy

External Interests / Community Service

• Vice President and Trustee of Early Education (September, 2017 – )
• External examiner of BEd International at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick (2024-2027)
• Member of the Qualifications Advisory Board for the Early Learning and Care sector, Department of Education and Skills, Dublin (2020 – ) ie – Qualifications Advisory Board (QAB) for the Early Learning and Care (ELC) Sector (www.gov.ie)
• Member of the Advisory Board for Playful Learning DK (Denmark) funded by the LEGO Foundation (2023 – )
• Member of the Early Years Primary Advisory Group, Open University (2021 -).
• Member of the Academic and Practitioner Advisory Panel for the International Play Association, (IPA) 2023 in Glasgow (2022 – 2023)
• Member of the Northern Ireland All Party Group on Early Education and Childcare (2023- )
• Member of the Early Learning and Stakeholder Engagement Forum for the Department of Education Northern Ireland (2022 – )
• Associate Assessor for the Education and Training Inspectorate (September 2011 -)
• Reviewer for the International Journal of Early Years Education, the International Journal of Childcare and Education Policy, Early Childhood Research and Practice, Early Years: an International Journal of Research and Development and Irish Educational Studies
• Member of the Editorial Board for Early Years Educator
• Former Chair, Vice Chair and current member of the Board of Governors at the Royal School Dungannon (2018 –
• Member of the Board of Governors at Howard Primary School (2008 –)

Research Interests

• Early Childhood Education and Care (0-8 years)
• Pedagogy and Curriculum.
• Play and Playful Pedagogies
• Young children’s Views and Perspectives.
• Professional Practice

Background & Qualifications

• Primary School Teacher (1994-1999)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• PhD, The Play Versus the Formal Debate: a Study of Early Years Provision in Northern Ireland and Denmark (Queen’s University, Belfast, 2000)
• Bachelor of Education (Hons) First Class (Queen’s University Belfast, 1994) – Recipient of the Maeve Ann Winters Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education
• ALCM – Speech and Drama (Honours) 1992.

Research & Scholarship

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Martin, C., Walsh, G., Sloan, S., Dunn, J., Gibson, K., Orr, K. and Winter, F. (2024) Addressing Educational Disadvantage through Home-School Links on the Island of Ireland: The BUDDIES Study, The Irish Educational Research Journal, 47(10), 147-157, www.erc.ie/IJE/special-issues

Beck, G.J. ,  O’Connor-Bones, U, Gracey, J., Kelly, G and Walsh, G. (2021) ‘In need of review: Developing Sensory Provision in Northern Ireland’s Mainstream Primary classrooms,’ Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 21 (3), 268–279doi: 10.1111/1471-3802.12519, https://nasenjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1471-3802.12519

Sproule, L., Walsh, G., & McGuinness, C. (2021). Signalling playfulness: disguising work as play in the early years’ classroom. International Journal of Play, 10(3), 228–242. https://doi.org/10.1080/21594937.2021.1959232, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21594937.2021.1959232#abstract

Walsh, G (2020) From our own correspondent: play in practice in Northern Ireland primary schools: progress and pitfalls, PRACTICE, 2:2, 161-166, DOI: 10.1080/25783858.2020.1831732

McMillan, D, Walsh, G. & Doherty, A. (2020) Getting a Better Picture of the ‘Whole’ Child:a Case for Interprofessional Learning in Early Childhood Staff Training, Practice, 2:2, 145-160, DOI: 10.1080/25783858.2020.1831735

Beck, G.J. ,  O’Connor-Bones, U, Gracey, J., Kelly, G and Walsh, G. (2021) ‘In need of review: Developing Sensory Provision in Northern Ireland’s Mainstream Primary classrooms,’ Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs.

McMillan, D, Walsh, G & Doherty, A (2020) ‘Getting a Better Picture of the ‘Whole’ Child: A Case for Interprofessional Learning in Early Childhood Staff Training,’ Practice, in press.

Walsh, G., McGuinness, C. & Sproule, L. (2019) ‘It’s teaching … but not as we know it’: using participatory learning theories to resolve the dilemma of teaching in play-based practice,’ Early Child Development and Care, 189:7, 1162-1173, DOI: 10.1080/03004430.2017.1369977

Walsh, G. and Fallon, J. (2019) ‘What’s all the fuss about play’? Expanding student teachers’ beliefs and understandings of play as pedagogy in practice,’ Early Years, DOI: 10.1080/09575146.2019.1581731

Sproule, L, Walsh, G & McGuinness, C (2019) ‘More than ‘just play’: picking out three dimensions of a balanced early years pedagogy’, International Journal of Early Years Education, 27:4, 409-422, DOI: 10.1080/09669760.2019.1628011

McGuinness, C, Sproule, L, Bojke C, Trew K. &. Walsh G (2014) ‘Impact of a play-based curriculum in the first two years of primary school: literacy and numeracy outcomes over seven years’, British Educational Research Journal, 40:5, 772-795. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.3117

Hunter, T and Walsh, G (2014) ‘From policy to practice?: the reality of play in primary school classes in Northern Ireland,’ International Journal of Early Years Education, 22:1, 19-36, DOI: 10.1080/09669760.2013.830561

Walsh, G., Sproule, L., McGuinness, C. and Trew, K. (2011) ‘Playful Structure: A Novel Image of Early Years Pedagogy for Primary School Classrooms.‘ Early Years: An International Journal of Research and Development 31 (2): 107-119. DOI: 10.1080/09575146.2011.579070

Books

Walsh, G, McGuinness, C & McMillan, D (March, 2017) Playful Teaching and Learning. London: Sage. https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/playful-teaching-and-learning/book245867

Book Chapters

Palaiologou, ​I., Walsh, G. et al. (2024) The National Picture, in Early Years the Foundation Stage (5^th  Edition). London: Sage. ​

Walsh, G. (2019) Towards Playful Teaching and Learning in Practice, In Andreassen-Becher, A., Bjørnestad, E & Dehnæs-Hogsnes (Red) Lek I Begynneropplæringen, Oslo: Universitetsforlaget.

Walsh, G. (2018) Legende Undervisning Og Læring – Hvorfor?, in Møller, H. H., Andersen, I. A., Kristensen, K. B. and Rasmussen, C. S., Leg I Skolen. Københaven: Unge Pædagoger.

Walsh, G. (2017) Why Playful Teaching and Learning?, In Walsh, G., McMillan D and McGuinness, C. (Eds) Playful Teaching and Learning, London: Sage.

Walsh, G. (2017) Pillars of Practice for Playful Teaching and Learning, In Walsh, G., McMillan D and McGuinness, C. (Eds) Playful Teaching and Learning, London: Sage.

Walsh, G. & Sproule, L (2017) Assessment within the Playful Teaching and Learning Experience, In Walsh, G., McMillan D and McGuinness, C. (Eds) Playful Teaching and Learning, London: Sage.

Dowling, M & Walsh, G. (2017) Growing the Child in the Playful Setting, In Walsh, G., McMillan D and McGuinness, C. (Eds) Playful Teaching and Learning, London: Sage.

Boyd, D, Walsh, G. et al. (2015) A Conversation between the Four Nations, in Understanding the Early Years across the UK: Case studies from England, Scotland, NI and Wales, Boyd, D. and Hirst, N. (Eds). London: Routledge.

Doherty, A.& Walsh, G. (2015) The Foundation Stage Curriculum, in Northern Ireland: An Inside Practical Perspective​ in Understanding the early years across the UK. Case studies from England, Scotland, NI and Wales​ (Boyd, D. and Hirst, N. (Eds). London: Routledge.

McMillan, D. and Walsh, G. (2010) ‘Professionalism in NI’ in Miller, L. and Cable, C. (eds) Critical Issues in the Early Years: Professionalization, Leadership and Management. London: Sage.

Walsh, G. and McMillan, D (2010) ‘War and Peace in Northern Ireland: Childhood in Transition’ in Clark M and Tucker S. (eds) Early Childhoods in a Changing World. Stoke-on-Trent: Trentham Books.

Walsh, G., (2007) Northern Ireland, in Clark, M. and Waller, T., Early Childhood Education and Care. London: Sage.

Scholarly Publications

Walsh, G. (2024) (in collaboration with Kierna Corr, Andrea Doherty, Deirdre Doherty, Stephanie Gillespie, Hannah Irvine, Karen Irwin, Pam Lowry, Diane McClelland and Adam Willis) The Playful Learning Continuum, https://ccea.org.uk/learning-resources/playful-learning-continuum, Belfast: CCEA.

Walsh, G. (2024) ‘Children in Northern Ireland need Play More than Ever’, Early Years Educator, 24, 7, January, 13^th, https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/eyed.2024.24.7.8

Walsh, G. (2022) Prioritising ‘Fair’ Play in Northern Ireland Primary Schools, https://www.bera.ac.uk/blog/prioritising-fair-play-in-northern-ireland-primary-schools, BERA, 22^nd October.

Harris, J., Purdy, N. & Walsh, G. (2021) Why holding a postponed, single transfer test is likely to widen educational inequalities between wealthy and poor within the current P7 cohort

Walsh, G. (2020) ‘School Life after Lockdown’, NI4Kids, September.

Walsh, G. (2020) ‘ School Life after Lockdown: Striking the Balance, #14 – School Life after Lockdown: Striking the Balance (buzzsprout.com), November.

Walsh, G. and Gillespie, S. (2020) Life after Lockdown in the Early Years Classroom: Embracing Challenges as Opportunities: https://www.stran.ac.uk/life-after-lockdown-in-the-early-years-classroom-embracing-challenges-as-opportunities/

McMullen, J. and Walsh, G. (2020) Prioritising Play when Schools Reopen: Prioritising Play when Schools Reopen | Stranmillis University College | A College of Queen’s University Belfast

Walsh, G and Gillespie, S (2016) Observations in Foundation Stage using the Quality Learning Framework, CCEA, http://training.ccea.org.uk/course/view.php?id=86&pageid=702

Walsh, G. and Gillepsie, S. (2016) Infusing Playfulness in Language Teaching and Learning, Support Materials for Teachers, NCCA website, available at: http://curriculumonline.ie/getmedia/bb9ac07f-2eeb-46d2-a130-0abb0aa74cf6/ORW_InfusingPlayfulness_1.pdf?ext=.pdf

Walsh, G. and Gillespie,S. (2016) Observational Assessment using the Quality Learning Framework: Kilmaine Primary School, Foundation Stage online course, http://training.ccea.org.uk/course/view.php?id=86

Walsh, G. (2016) A Northern Ireland Perspective: the Early Years Workforce, Early Education, No 78, Spring, 7-9.

Research Reports

Walsh, G, Winter, F, Farrell, T., Orr, K, Hanna, K, McCartney, S, Ballentine, M and Millar, A (2024) An Independent Review of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme in Ireland (in press). Dublin: the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

McCartney, S., Winter, F, Walsh, G and Orr, K. (2024) The determinants of experiences and outcomes for children and young people in Childminding: A Rapid Review of the Research Literature. https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/policy-in-action-2-july-2024/

O’Toole, L., Ward, C and Walsh, G. (2024) A Consultation with Babies, Toddlers and Young Children to Inform the Updating of Aistear. https://ncca.ie/en/resources/phase-2-consultation-with-babies-toddlers-and-young-children/

Purdy, N., Walsh, G., Orr, K., Rowan, A., Symington, E., Winter, F. (2024) Transfer Talks – a mixed methods exploration of the impact of the non-testing year of post-primary transfer on children, parents and educators in Northern Ireland. Stranmillis University College/CREU and Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland. https://www.stran.ac.uk/research-paper/2024-transfer-talks/

O’Toole, L., Walsh, G. and Kerrins, L. (2023) A Consultation with Babies, Toddlers and Young Children to Inform the Updating of Aistear. https://ncca.ie/en/updates-and-events/latest-news/2023/may/consultation-with-babies-toddlers-and-young-children/  Dublin: NCCA.

RSM (UK) with LucidTalk, the National Children’s Bureau and Dr Glenda Walsh (2023) Review of Childcare Services in Northern Ireland: Final Report. https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/rsm-2023-de-review-childcare-services-ni-final-report, Belfast: Department of Education.

Purdy, N., Walsh, G., Orr, K. Millar, A. and Ballentine, M. (2023) Testing Times: Northern Ireland School Transfer Without Tests in 2021. https://www.stran.ac.uk/research-paper/testing-times-report-2023/, Belfast: Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement.

Walsh, G, Martin, C., Sloan, S., Dunn, J., Gibson, K., Orr, K. and Winter, F. (2022) The BUDDIES Study, Examining the Role of Home-School Community Liaison across the Island of Ireland. https://scotens.org/launch-of-successful-projects-under-the-shared-island-scotens-research-partnership/,  Dublin: Shared Island/SCoTENS

Georgeson,^, J., Roberts Holmes,^, G.,  Campbell-Barr,^, V.,  Archer,^, N., Fung Lee,^, S., Gulliver,^, K., Street,^, M., Walsh,^, G., Waters-Davies, J. (2022) Competing Discourses in Early Childhood Education and Care: Tensions, Impacts and Democratic Alternatives across the UK’s four jurisdictions. Report of the BERA Research Commission 2019-2020. https://www.bera.ac.uk/publication/competing-discourses-in-early-childhood-education-and-care, British Educational Research Association, August.

Social Mobility Commission (2021) State of the Nation 2021: Social Mobility and the Pandemic, State of the Nation 2020-21: Social Mobility in Great Britain (publishing.service.gov.uk), London: Open Government Licence.

Walsh, G., Woods, T., Palli-Aspero, C., Herron, A. and Stallard, A. (2021) Play in Practice during the Pandemic: Summary Report. Belfast: PlayBoard NI

Purdy, N., Harris, J., Dunn, J., Gibson, K., Jones, S., McKee, B., McMullen, J., Walsh, G., and Ballentine, M. (2021) Northern Ireland Survey of Parents/Carers on Home-Schooling during the Covid-19 Crisis: 2021, Belfast: Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement

Dunn, J., Walsh, G., Elliott, D. and McClelland, D. (2018) Creative Child: An Evaluation of the Young at Art Creative Child Project. Belfast: Stranmillis University College.

Walsh, G. and Fallon, J. (2018) The PLAI Study: Playful Learning across Ireland. Armagh: SCoTENs

Walsh, G and McConnell, B (2014) An Evaluation of the All Ireland Centre of Excellence Programme. Belfast: Early Years.

Conference and Invited Presentations

Walsh. G. (2024) The Power of Playfulness in Practice. Early Education Conference, Stranmillis University College, Belfast, 28^th August.

Walsh, G. (2024) The Power of Playfulness across the Primary School. Belfast Schools’ Playful Learning Conference, Good Shepherd Primary School, Belfast. 27^th August.

Walsh, G. (2024) The Power of Playfulness for all Learners. Cavan and Monaghan Education Training Board Event, Garage Theatre Monaghan, 27^th May.

Walsh, G. (2024) Assessing the Priorities for Improving Outcomes and Attainment in Early Learning (Invited keynote presentation). Policy Forum for the Island of Ireland, 11^th March.

Walsh, G. (2024) The Role of the Early Years in Tackling Educational Disadvantage: An Irish Example, ESAI Symposium: Addressing Educational Disadvantage to Create a more Just Society, Education Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) Conference, Maynooth Univesrity, Thursday 4^th April.

Walsh, G. (2023) A Pedagogy of Play: Exploring the Power of Playful Teaching and Learning in Practice (invited keynote address) INTO Education Conference, Tullamore Court Hotel, Co. Offaly, 17^th– 18^th November.

Walsh, G. and McCartney, S. (2023) The Role of the Early Childhood Education and Care in Shaping Northern Ireland’s Future, The Belfast Area Outcomes Working Group for Children and Young People, Belfast Castle, Tuesday 3^rd October.

O’Toole, L, Kerrins, L and Walsh, G. (2023) Accessing the Voices of Children Under 3, (Invited Presentation),  European Working Group on Early Childhood Education and Care, 14^th September.

Walsh Glenda (2023) “We have lots to tell you”: Consulting with babies, toddlers and young children on their Early Childhood Curriculum Framework, Aistear in Ireland, European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) Conference, Estoril, Portugal, Friday 1^st September.

Walsh, G. (2023) The Power of Playful Pedagogies in Practice, Invited Presentation, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Institute of Pedagogy, 3rd International Research Day, 20^th June.

Walsh, G. and Rice, A, (2023) A Danish Focus, Shaping the Future Together: A Northern Ireland Perspective, Early Years: the Organisation and Stranmillis University College, 9^th June.

Walsh, G. (2023) Mental Health and Wellbeing: An Early Years Student Perspective, The Assembly All Party Group on Mental Health in Northern Ireland, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, 5^th June.

Walsh, G. and Martin, C. (2023) The BUDDIES Study: Examining the Role of the HSCL across the Island of Ireland, Education Studies Across Ireland (ESAI) Conference, 31^st March.

Walsh, G. (2023) It’s More than ‘Just Play’: Infusing ‘Playfulness’ into Practice in the Primary Classroom: a Northern Ireland Story, Invited Presentation, BERA Event (Playful Learning and Curriculum), 13^th March.

Walsh, G. (2023) Danish Play Philosophy: curriculum and pedagogy indoors and out, National Education Union (NEU) Event, Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim, 8^th March.

Walsh, G. (2023) Early Childhood Education and Care in Ireland and Northern Ireland: a Response to the ESRI Study, Online launch of the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI’s) Report, 30^th January.

Purdy, N., Walsh, G. and Orr, K. (2022) Building Better Futures for All, Research Symposium on Educational Underachievement, Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, 23^rd November.

Walsh, G. (2022) Wellbeing in the Early Years Curriculum: a Northern Ireland Perspective, Early Education/Open University Online Conference, 5^th November.

Walsh, G. (2022) Playful Pedagogies can promote Creative Learners, the Northern Ireland British Psychological Society (NIBPS) Conference, 12^th October.

Walsh, G. (2022) Outdoor Play in Practice: Lessons Learned from the Scandinavian Experience, BBC Northern Ireland Teach Meet, 5^th October.

Walsh, G. and Fallon, J. (2022) What’s All the Fuss about Play, Hibernia College Seminar, Online Event, 7^th July.

Herron, A., Palli-Aspero, C. and Walsh, G. (2021) Play in Practice during the Pandemic: a Northern Ireland Perspective, Early Education Annual National Conference: What have we Learned from the Pandemic, 14-18th June.

Herron, A, Palli-Aspero C. and Walsh, G. (2021) Play in Practice during the Pandemic, PlayBoard NI Webinar, 9th June. Available to view here.

Walsh, G. (2021). ‘Towards the Best and Fairest Start for All, Invited Presentation, the Department of Education Curriculum and Assessment Team,’ Tuesday 23rd March.

Walsh, G (2019) ‘It’s more than Just Play: Infusing Playful Teaching and Learning Indoors and Out, Controlled Schools’ Support Council’s Teacher Professional Learning Seminar in Stranmillis University College, Belfast, 27th November.

Walsh, G. (2017) THE PLAI Study: Playful Learning across Ireland, Worksop at the annual SCoTENS conference in Dundalk, 13th-14th October

Walsh, G (2017) Effective Learning and Teaching in the Foundation Stage: Unravelling the Conundrum, Chief Inspector’s Report Conference, Enniskillen, 17th May and Belfast 18th May.

Walsh, G (2017) Playful Teaching and Learning: the Underpinning Rationale, Western Norway University College, Bergen Campus, 4th April.

Walsh, G (2017) Infusing Playfulness into Learning and Learning into Play: the Role of the Playful Teacher, Western Norway University College, Stord Campus, 5th April.

Walsh, G (2017) Infusing Playful Learning into the Outdoors, Western Norway University College, Stord Campus, 6th April.

Walsh, G (2016) Education in Northern Ireland: progress and pitfalls, BESA Conference, University of Wolverhampton, 30th June 2016;

Walsh, G (2016) The Place of children 0-8 in 21st century Northern Ireland: research informed policy, Keynote address, OMEP European Conference, Canterbury Christchurch University, 6th May.

Walsh, G. (2016) A Quality Learning Experience in the Early Years of Primary School: Unravelling the Conundrum, NCCA Aistear Tutor Event, Athlone Springs Hotel, 3rd March.

Walsh, G (2015) Early Years policy from Across the UK: Common Challenges, Diverse Solutions – a Northern Ireland Perspective, Early Education, AGM, NCVO: London, 14th November.

Walsh, G (2015) Infusing Playfulness into Learning and Learning into Play, Aistear Tutor Initiative, Athlone: Hudson Bay Hotel, 14th May.

Conference Prensentations

Doctoral Examination

Glenda has set on differentiation panels of MPhil/PhD students and she has been involved in the examination of several MPhil/PhD proposals at Queen’s University Belfast. She also acts as an internal examiner for PhD and EdD theses at Queen’s University Belfast.

Her doctoral examination experience includes:

EdD: (November 2010) External Examiner, Durham University, Thesis: Developing Children’s Cognitive Functions and Increasing Learning Effectiveness: An Interaction using the Bright Start Curriculum for Young Children.

EdD: (July 2016) External Examiner, Institute of Education, University College London. Thesis: A Critical Study of Academic Acceleration In the Early Childhood Years in Singapore.

DChild: (February 2017) Internal Examiner, Queen’s University, Belfast. Thesis: An Examination of Undergraduate Students’ Knowledge of and Attitudes to Children’s Rights

PhD: (June 2017) External Examiner, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Thesis: An Investigation into Thinking Skills and Young Children’s Emergent Metacognition in the Foundation Phase in Wales.

PhD: (June 2018) External Examiner, University of Sheffield, Thesis: Dispositions and Socio-dramatic Play in the Early Years.

EdD (September 2019) External Examiner, University of Cambridge, Thesis: From font of knowledge to facilitator: Exploring a model of professional change with South African early educators.