Dr Zinnia Mevawalla (she/her) is a Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at the University of Strathclyde. Zinnia has had the privilege of learning, teaching and researching, with children, families, early years professionals, researchers and diverse communities to understand how initiatives in the early years can uphold children’s rights, foster critical consciousness and equity education, and support social inclusion for all. Zinnia is particularly interested in the role of critical consciousness in actualising anti-bias goals (identity, diversity, justice and activism) and social justice education in the early years. 

Zinnia is interested in understanding how initiatives and practices in the early childhood can foster social inclusion for children, families/caregivers and communities. Using critical and resistance theories, her work focuses on listening to children, families/caregivers and community stakeholders who experience systematic exclusion in diverse international contexts. Her focus is on research which examines barriers and the potential for inclusion, equity, participation and transformative resistance. Zinnia is also interested in research which explores how educators, transdisciplinary professionals and community stakeholders work across early childhood contexts to support children and families/caregivers who experience social exclusion.

Zinnia teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate programs in early years, childhood practice and inclusive education in the Strathclyde Institute of Education. She is also involved in the supervision of PGR students.

• PhD in Early Childhood Education - Macquarie University, Australia
• Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)(Hons)(1st class) - Macquarie University, Australia