The 32nd EECERA Conference is hosted by The University of Brighton and is organised in conjunction with the Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC).
The conference will be held across three university buildings, Edward Street (154 Edward Street, BN2 0JG), Dorset Place (6 Dorset Place, BN2 1ST) and Grand Parade (58–67 Grand Parade, BN2 0JY), as well as Brighton Dome (Church Street, BN1 1UE). All are located in close proximity to one another.
Welcome to Brighton
Brighton is a vibrant and iconic coastal city located on the south coast of England, known for its eclectic charm, lively atmosphere, and rich history. Nestled between the rolling hills of the South Downs and the English Channel, Brighton offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and a bohemian spirit.
One of the city’s defining features is its pebble beach, lined with a long promenade that offers breathtaking views of the sea. The iconic Brighton Pier stretches out into the water, adorned with amusement arcades, restaurants, and attractions which are a must see for delegates.
Beyond the beach, Brighton’s bustling city centre is a hub of activity. The historic Lanes, a maze-like network of narrow streets, is renowned for its boutique shops, art galleries, and antique stores. This area also hosts a vibrant food scene, with numerous independent cafes, restaurants, and pubs serving a diverse range of cuisines, reflecting the city’s cosmopolitan population.
Brighton has a reputation for being open-minded and culturally diverse, with a strong LGBTQ+ community presence. This inclusive atmosphere is reflected in the annual Brighton Pride event, one of the largest Pride festivals in the UK, which draws crowds from all over to celebrate equality and diversity.
Culturally, Brighton offers a wealth of attractions, including the Royal Pavilion, a lavish palace built for King George IV as a seaside pleasure palace alongside various museums and galleries showcasing contemporary and historical art. The city’s arts scene is lively, with a number of theatres, music venues, and performance spaces offering a diverse array of entertainment options.
Brighton is excited to host the EECERA conference and we can’t wait to dazzle delegates with a taste of Brighton life.
The University of Brighton
From small beginnings in 1850s Brighton, the University of Brighton has grown to a complex and diverse institution based in two locations across the south coast of England.
Our ethos is defined by four core values: inclusivity, sustainability, creativity, partnership.
Our students are part of a dynamic, diverse and creative community that embraces partnership working and that makes a positive difference to society.
The School of Education at the University of Brighton is one of the UK’s largest providers of high-quality education courses with a long-established reputation for our work with education professionals in a wide variety of settings including initial teacher education.
We’ve been educating professionals, including teachers, researchers, early years practitioners, youth workers and teaching assistants, for over 100 years and have a permanent teaching and research team of more than 90 expert practitioners and scholars in the field. Our expertise spans all phases of learning and development, from the early years through to adult education and, at any given time, we have around 1,200 students registered on courses within the School of Education.
As one of the leading initial teacher education (ITE) providers in the country, our strength lies with our school-led partnership, one that works to ensure trainee teachers receive the best possible support and education. Our work in initial teacher education provision has been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in our 2018 inspection.
Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC), Birmingham, United Kingdom
The Centre for Research in Early Childhood is the home of CREC in Birmingham (Charitable Trust) and Amber Publications & Training Ltd (APT). Established by Professor Chris Pascal and Professor Tony Bertram, CREC has been working to improve early years provision for over 25 years. CREC specialises in early childhood research which has relevant and meaningful outcomes for practice and policy. Some of its research is transformed into training and development programmes designed for the specific needs of the early years sector. CREC also offers postgraduate research degrees and has a strong reputation for undertaking reviews, reports, evaluations and consultancy work with many UK local authorities, NGOs and countries. CREC also runs British Early Childhood Education Research Association (BECERA) annual conference and has been EECERA’s strategic partner supporting the delivery of EECERA annual conference since 2009.
