Local time

June 16th, 2025

9:00- 9:45

  Registration (Main lobby)

Tea / Coffee / Networking / Posters (West lobby)

TSI Building

9:50-10:25

Welcome in TSI039

Welcome from RCEN: Prof Sasha Sidorkin, Convener 

Introduction to Froebel: Niamh Fortune (Head of Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education)

Introduction to the Centre for Public Education and Pedagogy: Dr Joe Oyler (Co-Director of CPEP)

Chair: Dr Leah O’Toole

10:30- 11:30

Keynote speaker in TSI039 

Locating the educative power of relational pedagogy: what can we learn from the field of early childhood?

Prof Theodora Papatheodorou  

Chair: Lydia Murphy

6/16

Room TSI039

Room TSI041

Room TSI043

Early Childhood Room

11:45- 1:00

Qw

1. Huili Hong, Vanderbilt University. Empowering Multilingual Educators: Relational Pedagogy and Its Implications for TESOL Mentoring.

2.Annie Ó Breacháin, Dublin City University. Using hermeneutic phenomenology in studies of educational relations- Illuminations and missed opportunities.

Chair: Edel Fahy

1. Catherine-Ann O’Connell & Emma Aherne TUS. Where trauma meets relational pedagogy.

2. EunMi Cho, California State University. Interdisciplinary IEP Meeting Simulation: Enhancing Teacher and Related Service Provider Collaboration.

Chair: Chloe Bolyard

1.Ann-Louise Ljungblad, Malmö University. Children’s and Students’ Health Path Through School.Ljungblad RCEN 2025 

2. Stewart Riddle & Andrew Hickey,University of Southern Queensland. Proposing a framework for authentic pedagogical relationality: Sharing lessons from Australian schooling.

Chair: Tracy McElheron

1. Merete Moe (w/Audun Forr, Berit Flatås and Lotta Johannessen),QMUC. Significant moments in kindergarten leadership.

Chair: Lydia Murphy

1:00- 2:00

 Lunch break, West Lobby TSI Building

Lunch is provided

2.00- 3:15

1. Angela Rickard, Maynooth University. Ye are mad about the gays up there, aren’t ye?’ Shaping new stories about LGBTQ+ inclusive practice in second level schools in Ireland: a narrative inquiry.

2. Joe Oyler, Maynooth University. Philosophical space as relational space in education.

Chair: Emer Byrden

1. Anne Piezunka, HSAP. Children’s perspective on the quality of teacher-  student interactions.

2. Bernie Grummell, Maynooth University.A critical approach to relational pedagogy in adult literacy.

Chair: Maurizio Gentile

1. Chloe Bolyard, Missouri State University. Relational Pedagogy in Action: Currere as a Collaborative Approach to Equity-Centered Curriculum Reflection and Change.

2. Brian Kissel, Vanderbilt University.The Stories They Tell and What We Can Learn: Relation-Centered Writing Instruction.

Chair: EunMi Cho

1. Georga Dowling, Dublin City University. Is relational pedagogy paving the way for greater participation of Babies and Toddlers?

2.Evelyn Reilly,Maynooth University. Strawberries, Fred with the broken arm and Seán’s Dog’.Making the link between relational pedagogy, authentic listening to young children and their well-being.

Chair: Laura Thornton

3:15- 3:45

Break

Tea and coffee

West Lobby TSI building

3:45-5:00

1. Geoff Taggart. Rewilding Education: A Transformative Pedagogy of Embodiment and Hospitality.Dublin conference presentation.pptx 

2.§.

Chair: Angela Rickard

1.Amber Howard & Stacie Finley, Missouri State University. When Relational Pedagogy Leads to Secondary Trauma.

2. Emma Pearson, Maynooth University. ‘Tuning in’: Locating relational ethics of care in early childhood education and care.

Chair: Laura Thornton

1.Susan Zoll. Designing Family Partnership Opportunities to Improve Children's Literacy Learning.

2. Tracy McElheron, Maynooth University.  The use of Video Enhanced Reflective Practice in Building Relational Processes in ECEC. The use of Video Enhanced Reflective Practice in Building Relational Processes in ECEC.pptx

Chair: Evelyn Rielly

5:15-7:00

Evening Opening Reception

Pugin hall  

Entertainment with food and drinks reception 

Local time 

June 17th 2025

9.00-9.30

Tea / Coffee / Networking / Posters (West lobby)

TSI Building

9:30-10:30

Keynote speaker in TSI039 

 Understanding relational and intentional pedagogy in supporting and enhancing young children’s well-being and developmental outcomes in the early years

Keynote Speaker:  Prof Iram Siraj

Chair: Dr Kate Duffy

6/17

Room TSI039

Room TSI041

Room TSI043

 Early Childhood Room

10:45-12:00

1.Joyice Robinson Myers.

The black American Dating Market: A Duoethnographic revealing a need for relationship education.

2. Eric Belt,University of Maryland. Faculty Perspectives on Building Meaningful Teacher-Student Relationships in Online Education. 

Chair: Ron McColl

1.Anthony Reibel, Adlai E Stevenson High School.

Embracing Relational Teaching with Empathetic Assessment Instruction Design.

2. Kathy Gibbs and Katherine Main, Griffith University. Investigating the role of relational capital and reciprocity to support neurodivergent female students succeed in their university studies.

Chair: Lydia Murphy

1. Emily Pendergrass, Melanie Hundley, & Rebecca Peterson, Vanderbilt University. A CARE-FUL Approach to Sustainable Teaching.

2. Haley Perkins & Sarah Sharp. Emergence around the edges: Possibilities in becoming relational researchers.

Chair: Emily Pendergrass

1.Kjartan Belseth, Queen Maud University College. «Better being two?» The interactions between co-leading pedagogical leaders and the rest of the ECEC-staff – A relational view.

2. Kelly Nolan. Maynooth University. Nurturing Connections: Embracing ‘Professional Love’ in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Chair: Suzanne O’Keeffe

12.00-1.00

Lunch break, West Lobby TSI Building

Lunch is provided

1:00-2:15

1. Anke Spies. A Lack of Relation-Centered Pedagogy in Schools is a Lack in Child Protection for Generations.

2. Daniela Lehner, Graz University. Teaching as Care:  Rethinking Learning Spaces through bell hooks' Pedagogy

Chair: Kelly Nolan

1. Deirdre Forde, Maynooth University. Relational Care: Paving the way for Neuroinclusion.

Chair: Emma Pearson

1. Niall Hanlon,TU Dublin. Relational Justice and Relational Pedagogy in Social Care Education

2.Agnieszka Naumiuk, University of Warsaw. The concept of neighborhood as a formula opening up relationships with groups and individuals at risk of social exclusion. 

“Other”_migrants_vulnerable or neigbours_ (Final).pptx - Prezentacje Google

Chair: Lydia Murphy

1. Therese Ignacio Bjørnaas, Queen Maud University College.

"The discomfort and reluctance to discuss race in Norwegian kindergartens  and how this contributes to the perpetuation of racism,where racial biases are left unchallenged and unexamined."

2.Paal Eckhoff Salvesen and Merete Moe, Queen Maud University College. Collaborative/ dual teaching – bringing in the field of profession into the classroom”. What occurs at both the relational and professional levels between students, kindergarten professionals and faculty teachers within such a collaborative teaching dynamic?

Joint teaching – presentation

Chair: Tracy McElheron

2:15- 3:30

1. Annika Wiklund-Engblom, Peter Bergström, Maria Lindfors, Umeå University. CHAT teacher workshop for student-centred learning practices. 

2. Emer Byrden, Maynooth University. Relationally listening: researching the relational soundscape of the classroom

Maynooth University, Ireland

 Chair: Emily Pendergrass

1. Jackie Maguire and Trisha MacLaughlin, Maynooth University. Making connections with the ‘more than human world’ through the development of new theatre work for an early years audience titled ‘Soil Story’.

2. Jackie Maguire and Trisha MacLaughlin, Maynooth University. Making connections with the ‘more than human world’ through the development of new theatre work for an early years audience titled ‘Soil Story’.

Chair : Kate Duffy

Leah O’Toole and Claire Regan, Maynooth University.

Mapping relationships in education: A how-to workshop on Relational Reflective Practice.

Chair: Lydia Murphy

3:30-3:45

                                                                                                     Break

Tea and coffee

West Lobby TSI building

3:45-5:00

Lydia Murphy Dundalk Institute of Technology. Nurturing North-Eastern Neighbourhood Nests: Community-Defined Parent Baby Toddler (PBT) groups and the Role of the Early Years Graduate in Supporting Families of Children Aged Under Three Years. 

finale nuturing nest 2 .pptx 

Chair: Sylwia O’Rourke

 Michael Neel and Pallu Reddy Vanderbilt University and Rockford University. A Reflection on Practice: Fostering Teacher Resilience Through Critical Pragmatism and the Ethics of Care.

Chair: Emily Pendergrass

Kate Duffy, University of Sunderland. Agile Research Teams (ARTs): Cultivating a relational response to knowledge exchange.

Chair: Emer Byrden

Katherine Main and Sue Whatman, Griffith University. Relational practices: Key to the effectiveness of intentional pedagogies in a values-based outdoor education program

Optional Social Outing

Traditional Irish Music

In Brady’s Maynooth town, 9pm  

Food available beforehand

Local time

 June 18th 2025

9:00- 9:30

Tea / Coffee / Networking / Posters (West lobby)

TSI Building

9:30-10:30

 RCEN Presidential Address in TSI039

Relational Pedagogy: The birth of a Field

Recording

Prof Alexander M. Sidorkin  

Chair: Dr Ann-Louise Ljungblad

6/18

Room TSI039

Room TSI041

Room TSI043

Early Childhood Room

10:45- 12:00

1.Sharon Skehill and Mary Daly, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Collaboration and consultation in the updated Aistear: Relationship-creating in the processes and pedagogy of the early childhood curriculum framework. 

 2. Theresa A. Chika-James, MacEwan University. Enhancing Teacher-Student Relationships in the Age of Generative AI to Foster Authentic Learning: The Role of Institutional Support and Relational Pedagogy. Chika-James Theresa_RCEN Conference 2025.pptx 

Chair: Emma Pearson

1. Alison Moore, University College Cork.Facilitating  Reflection and Dialogue Across Borders: Establishing a Community of Practice (CoP) to enhance early years placement experience in Ireland.

2. Jessica Selleck,

University at Buffalo.180 days: Investigating professional relationships and communities of practice of ELL teachers in an urban secondary school in the United States.

Chair: Evelyn Rielly

1.Dilara Demir Bloom & Laura Thorton  Maynooth University.

‘Connections’: Turn to Teaching a Relational Journey underpinning Emergent Teacher Identities.

2. Michael Richardson, Chelsea Cole, Melissa Newberry; Brigham Young University.

Pre-service teachers' self -perceptions of their ability to navigate and form relationships within schools.

Chair: TBA

1. Alicia Blanco-Bayo; Edge Hill University. Embracing assessment with CARIÑO at the heart.

2.Alexandra Brown, University of Sunderland. The role of a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) within higher education

Chair: Georga Dowling

12:00- 1:15

1.Lauren Flannery and

 Elizabeth Scolefield, University of East Anglia. The Heart of Teaching. 

2. Helena Bonnevie, Åbo Akademi University, Finland, & Annika Wiklund-Engblom, Umeå University. Exploring teachers’ competences for teacher-student relations in digital university settings.

Chair: Kelly Nolan

1.Maurizio Gentile - LUMSA University, Teachers' perceptions of pupils' socio-emotional competence in relation to assessment practices: a person-centered approach. 

2. Glenda Walsh and Nóirín Hayes, Stranmillis University. 'Quality' through a relational lens: perceptions and practices of early childhood teachers on the island of Ireland

Chair: Anne Piezunka

1. Jason Rawls, The Ohio State University. Rhythm and Relationships: Leveraging Hip Hop Culture in Education through a Hip Hop Mentality.

Jason Rawls RCEN 2025 Presentation

2. Sylwia O’Rourke, SETU.

Wired and Developing-exploring the role of digital interactions in early childhood settings.

Chair: Emer Byrden

.

1:15- 2:15

    Lunch break,

West Lobby TSI Building

Lunch is provided

2:15- 3:30

 1. Ron McColl, West Chester University. Mentoring that Matters:Relational Pedagogy, Cultural Capital, and Student Empowerment in Academia.

2. Nika Maglaperidze, Michael Sherlock, and Elizabeth O’Brien. Maynooth University. Innovation or Education? Creating Spaces for Appearance in Initial Teacher Education.

Chair: Glenda Walsh

Biek Leissner & Jaap Kleinpaste, Windesheim University. Weak Education demands for Relational Strengths.

2.  Biek Leissner & Jaap Kleinpaste, Windesheim University. Weak Education demands for Relational Strengths.

Edel Fahy

 3:30-4:30

Business Meeting

                                                                                              Room TSI039

Agenda: Next conference, Program chair report, Financial report, Organisational leadership, Passing of the Gavel

4:30-6:00

Closing Reception

TSI  Building West Lobby

Maynooth University

 Poster Presentations (West Lobby)

Name, Title,

University

1. Nicole Brass, Jessica Payton, Christi Bergin, Chad Rose, Jessica Kilday, Aaron Campbell, Sara Prewett,  Lindsey Miriel; Enhancing Teacher Efficacy and Student Belonging Through the ECHO Professional Development Model; University of Missouri
2. Elina Lampert-Shepel, Sharon Sullivan-Rubin, Touro University. Creative Scaffolding Model ( crSM)  for Developing  Teachers’ Inquiry and  Transformative Agency.
3. Carina Wikman, Mara Westling Allodi, Noam Ringer, Stockholm University. Observing Interactions and Relationships in Elementary Classrooms Utilizing the Educational Climate Assessment Tool (EduCAT): a Concurrent Validity Study.
4. Colette Bozek, Claremont Graduate University.Fostering Relational Pedagogy Through Emotional Intelligence: Enhancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Junior High Classrooms.

Asynchronous online presentations  

Name, Title, University

1. David R. M. Saavedra, Virginia Commonwealth University: “Moral Distress and Disrupted Teacher-Student Relationships in the Height of COVID”.
2. Hasmik Movsisyan, National University.“Mindfulness as a Tool: Strengthening Inhibitory Control and Teaching Empathy through Self-awareness”.
3. Kevin Siefert, University of North Texas: “‘Long Live Death!’: Microfascisms, Climate Change, and Antifascist Relational Pedagogy: https://vimeo.com/1091897785/79b327ac28
4. Valerio Ferrero (PhD candidate, University of Turin): “The Classroom as a Dialogic Ecosystem: The Community of Philosophical Inquiry to nurture relationships”.
5. Brie Morettini, Rowan University. “A Sense of Belonging: Modeling Relational Teacher Education for Preservice Teachers”.
6. Alexios Brailas, Panteion University. A relational, dialogical, and narrative model for university education
7. Cara Furman, Hunter College, Elizabeth O’Brien Maynooth University, Kathryn Will, University of Maine Farmington. Ethics of Care in the Ordinary: Pre-Service Teachers Respond.
8. Laura Bruneau, Cheri Meder, & Krissy Treviranus, Adams State University. “Mattering” in Higher Education: Relation-Centered Educational Strategies for Digitally Delivered Graduate Programs (PowerPoint link & Video Recording link) 
9. Orly Shapira, Fadia Nasser Abu-Alhija & Benzi Slakmon, Tel Aviv University. Applying a New Qualitative Method to Students’ Perceptions of Teachers’ Relational Practices
10. Sanja Simel Pranjic, University of Osijek. Rethinking Caring Reciprocity in Higher Education: Perspectives from Outstanding Educators.
11. Lynn Payne, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Regenerative Selves: Yoga as a Pedagogy for Cultivating Relationality.