Dr Jennifer Pope
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Dr Jennifer Pope is an Assistant Professor in Early Childhood Care & Education at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, with a PhD in Paediatric Epidemiology. Her research focuses on young children's wellbeing and rights (past, present and future), and quality practice for young children. She is well-published in the field and co-author of Babies' and Toddlers' Rights in Practice (2025) and Professional Mentoring for Early Childhood and Primary School Practice (Springer, 2023). Her research has shaped national policy such as, the updating Aistear, Ireland's early childhood curriculum framework and a systematic review on wellbeing for the primary curriculum. Research for the Department of Children on Irish language provision in early learning settings included direct consultation with children to inform national policy. Her broader research interests include outdoor play, nurturing sustainability in the early years and greenspaces, early communication and language development, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young children and families.
