Projects per year
Personal profile
Personal Statement
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.
Research Interests
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.
Teaching Interests
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.
Academic / Professional qualifications
- PhD in Early Childhood Education - Macquarie University, Australia
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)(Hons)(1st class) - Macquarie University, Australia
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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CHAMP: Changing Hearts and Minds for Inclusive Education in the Early Years
Mevawalla, Z. (Principal Investigator), Fulton, J. (Co-investigator), Catlin, J. (Co-investigator), Cologon, K. (Co-investigator), Harper-Abdullah, M. (Co-investigator) & McConnell, G. (Co-investigator)
17/02/25 → …
Project: Research
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ASN & Inclusion: Here and now, co-creating everyday possibilities for the inclusion of every child
Catlin, J. (Principal Investigator), Mevawalla, Z. (Principal Investigator) & Wang, Y. (Principal Investigator)
11/06/25 → 11/06/25
Project: Knowledge Exchange (Training / Short Course)
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Inclusive Education in the Early Years: Right from the Start
Cologon, K. & Mevawalla, Z., 18 Jul 2023, 2nd ed. Oxford.Research output: Book/Report › Book
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Behaviour as communication: counter-stories of resistance and dignity work
Mevawalla, Z., Cologon, K., Hayden, J. & Hadley, F., 21 Feb 2022, In: Equity and Excellence in Education. 54, 3, p. 285-302 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Citations (Scopus)33 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Canberra, Australia
Mevawalla, Z. (Recipient), 1 Jan 2022
Prize: Appointment
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Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Canberra, Australia
Mevawalla, Z. (Recipient), 1 Dec 2024
Prize: Appointment
Activities
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Knowledge is power, but ignorance is bliss? Critical consciousness and implications for inclusive practice in the early years.
Mevawalla, Z. (Speaker)
28 Mar 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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Understanding Disability and Ableism
Mevawalla, Z. (Speaker), Fulton, J. (Speaker), Catlin, J. (Speaker), Cologon, K. (Contributor) & Harper-Abdullah, M. (Contributor)
20 Mar 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation