Dr Jackie Musgrave

Professional biography

Dr Jackie Musgrave is Associate Head of School with responsibility for Learning and Teaching in the School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport (ECYS) in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies at the Open University. She leads on Academic Conduct in the School and co-chairs the Faculty wide Academic Integrity Implementation group.

Jackie is a Principal Fellow of AdvanceHE

In July 2021, Jackie was appointed Associate Head of School for ECYS, leading on learning and teaching.

Jackie completed her MA  in Early Childhood Education and Doctor of Education at the University of Sheffield. Jackie's research explores issues relating to the health of babies and children, reflecting her previous professional experience as a general and paediatric nurse. 

Jackie moved into teaching in Further Education in 1996 and gained extensive experience as course leader for the Foundation Degree in Early Years, developing her understanding of pedagogical approaches to including students in their learning as part of the widening participation agenda.  Jackie had 5 very happy years at the University of Worcester, as course leader for the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Professional Practice degree, and then extended her knowledge and experience of academic leadership as Assistant Head of Centre for Children and Families.

Jackie joined the OU in 2017, as Programme Lead for the Early Childhood degree, then she took on leadership of Education Studies (Primary) degree in 2018. before taking on her current role in August 2021

Research interests

Jackie's doctoral and post-doctoral research brings together her interests in early childhood education and child health.  Her research has explored how early years practitioners support the health of young children in early years settings, this research has culminated in 2 sole-authored books published by Supporting Children's Health and Wellbeing (Sage 2017) and Health and wellbeing for Babies and Children: contemporary issues (Routledge 2022).

Jackie is currently conducting research into Children's Health Promotion.and with Professor Jane Payler has written the Early Childhood Health Promotion: A Toolkit for Early Childhood Education and Care Practitioners - this is a to support practitioners working with babies and children involved in improving and supporting their health in pre-school settings.  Please email Jackie for a FREE copy of this resource, which was funded by WELS research jackie.musgrave@open.ac.uk 

Jackie's research is inspired by practitioners and their expereince in caring and educating babies and young children.  She welcomes opportunities to supervise doctoral students in areas relating to early childhood educaiton and care, especially health-related research.

Teaching interests

Besides her deep interest in teaching matters relating to children's health and wellbeing, Jackie is interested in teaching contemporary issues in early childhood education, such as professionalism, practice-based learning and research methods,  Her scholarship research reflects her commitment to finding ways to support students in developing the skills of good academic conduct.

Impact and engagement

Jackie is a memeber of the All Party Parliamentary Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood, and has received several invitaitons to present at APPG meetings. APPG on a Fit and Healthy Childhood – Meeting Notes – The All-Party Parliamentary Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood (fhcappg.org.uk)

Jackie has had th eopportunity to present at numerous conferences and meetings, including:

Contributions to conferences

2023                As Vice-chair of the ECSDN leading on Research and Knowledge Exchange, oversaw organisation of the 6^th ECSDN online conference (90 delegates) having created a sub-group to delegate tasks to with the aim of planning for succession, as well as providing a national platform to work in for younger academics

2022                Organised a national conference ‘Wellbeing in the early years’ a partnership with Early Education and Early Childhood at The Open University

2022                Led on organisation of the 5^th ECSDN conference

2021                Led on a series of 3 half day online conferences (250 delegates inc international delegates)

2020                Organised the 3^rd national conference for the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (face to face in Sheffield, 60 delegates)

2019                Organised the 2^nd national conference for the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (face to face in London 60 delegates)

2018                Initiated and organised the inaugural national conference for the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network: (face to face in London) an aim of the conference was to offer a national platform for sharing research for academics and students

Invited lectures

March 2022Guest speaker at Early Education regional meeting, presented ‘How do practitioners in Early Childhood Education and Care settings promote the health of children

March 2022Student seminar at the International Conference on Education Quality Conference at Ibn-Zohr University, Morocco, based on the book chapter ‘Reflexivity in Educational Research’

March 2022Centre for Research and Education, seminar at the University of Northampton, based on the book chapter ‘Reflexivity in Educational Research’

Feb 2021         Keynote: Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing in the time of Covid and beyond. Changing practice in challenging times. Education Observatory, University of Wolverhampton

Feb 2021         Nursery World: Masterclass 1. Health promotion: making a difference.  2. Physical play: its critical contribution

Feb 2021Book seminar: Education Observatory – University of Wolverhampton

Jan 2020          Keynote: How do practitioners in Early Childhood Education and Care settings promote the health of children? Keynote at the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network Conference, Sheffield Hallam University

Aug 2020         Keynote: ‘How do practitioners in Early Childhood Education and Care settings promote the health of children?’

Mar 2019         Keynote: ‘Relationships at the heart of quality in Higher Education’: why relationships matter’. International Conference on Education Quality, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco. keynote on Quality in Online Distance Learning at the International Conference for Education Quality (ICEQ) organised by Ibn Zohr University in Morocco, attracting attendance from 26 countries

Feb 2016Keynote: ‘Supporting children’s health and wellbeing’ Top-up and Foundation Degree students’ conference, University of Worcester

Oct 2012 Presented ‘Getting to know you: the place of observations in early years practice’ at the University of Worcester Foundation Degree Students Conference

External collaborations

Jackie is co-chair of the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network (ECSDN), a national organisation and she was appointed joint Vice-Chair for the Research and Knowledge Strategy in 2017, The aims of the R and E aspect of the ECSDN are:

• To build a coherent and supportive strategy for developing and sharing research amongst member institutions

• To seek opportunities to publicise research undertaken by member institutions, maximising its impact and raising the profile of the research and the ECSDN

• Advocate for ECSDN research to inform policy and practice in the sector

Jackie contributed to the Early Childhood Studies degrees Quality Assurance Agency Benchmark statement revision in 2022 https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/sbs/sbs-early-childhood-studies-22.pdf?sfvrsn=91acdc81_2 and authored part of the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies which are part of the ECS Benchmark Statement.

International links

Jackie is part of the organising committee for the International Conference on Education Quality (ICEQ) which is hosted by the Ibn Zohr University in Agadir, Morocco.