Maria Meredith

Biography

I enjoy exploring the relationship between psychology and education, and consider myself very fortunate to be able to lecture on relevant issues and topics. While I am an advocate for continuing learning across all ages of the human lifespan, I believe that everyone should be able to access high-quality learning experiences in the earliest years of life.

I spent many happy years working in early years settings and primary schools before becoming a lecturer in further, community and higher education. In addition to having various leadership roles in the sector, I’ve also led on overseas volunteering and fundraising projects with students. The latter has focused mainly on supporting marginalised communities in education and health and social care initiatives in the Philippines.

My experiences working with families and teachers from garbage dumpsite communities in the Philippines, for whom education is a life-changing privilege, have inspired both my Master’s research in Psychology and my PhD. Within the School of Education and Science, I am actively engaged in fostering international partnerships for educational development.

I currently teach across several undergraduate courses in the education portfolio, including BA (Hons) Education; BA (Hons) Education, Inclusion and SEN; and BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies.

Qualifications

• PhD Psychology, ‘How families from a garbage dumpsite community in the Philippines experience having a child in education’, University of Gloucestershire, anticipated completion date February 2026
• MSc Psychology (Distinction), ‘ A Class Act: A thematic analysis of how teachers who work in a Philippine dumpsite community perceive their identities’, University of Gloucestershire, 2020
• PG Cert Mainly by Research – Research Methods, University of Gloucestershire, 2021
• MA Childhood and Youth Studies, Open University, 2012
• PG Cert Learning and Skills (Distinction), UWE, 2012
• BA (Hons) Early Years (2:1), Open University, 2008
• BSc Commerce, Major in Management of Financial Institutions, de la Salle University Manila, 1984

Accreditation

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Early Years Professional Status (EYPS)

Membership of professional bodies