In this feature we interview staff members who have been identified as Early Career Researchers. In the spotlight is Max Christie, an Early Childhood Education Lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Health Science.

What is your highest qualification and where and when did you finish it?

Masters of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Finished in 2021.

Are you currently completing any other post graduate programmes?

No, unless you count learning to be a lecturer, which feels like a post-graduate programme in a way.

What is your role at EIT and what courses do you teach?

Lecturer or Kaiako. I teach a variety of courses. Next year I will be teaching;

– Education and Society

– Emergent Literacy

– Play, Pedagogy and Curriculum

– The History of Early Childhood Education

– Professionalism

– Leadership

– Artistic Languages

What areas do you specialise in?

 I would say that I have expertise within most aspects of Early Childhood Education. It is difficult to narrow this down to one or two areas of particular expertise.

What research have you been involved in either last year or this year (please give details)?

None. I have just started work as a lecturer, previous to this I was travelling, teaching in and managing Early Childhood Centres

How important is research to you as an academic?

Vital. We must always strive to create new and interesting provocations for practitioners in order to spark innovation and the development of our profession in ECE.

How supportive is EIT in encouraging you to do research?

EIT has been very clear that I will be supported to do research and that this is a key part of my role which is very exciting