Book spotlight: Diversity and Marginalisation in Childhood
By Delayna Spencer, Senior Commissioning Editor at SAGE
Written by Dr Paula Hamilton, a Senior Fellow at the University of Chester, Diversity and Marginalisation in Childhood stems from her passion for social justice in childhood as well as her research into the fields of inclusion, diversity and the health and wellbeing of children and young people. Covering ages 0 – 11, this book looks closely at early years and primary settings.
I approached Paula some time ago after seeing her areas of research and interest to talk to her about current titles in the market and ask where she thought there were gaps. We had a great conversation wherein Paula noted that the minority groups she covers when teaching diversity are not in any textbooks, so she often relied on journal articles when it came to student resources. We agreed that there was a gap in the market for a topical book that engaged with the urgent issues around diversity today. I took this as an opportunity to suggest she developed her own textbook, which would not only support her students, but which could also be used by universities across the UK. After telling Paula more about SAGE and our drive to engage with diversity, especially across our textbook list, she happily agreed.
What sets this title apart from competing texts on the topic of diversity in childhood is that the author has chosen to focus on groups that are often ignored on university syllabuses. Here Paula makes an intervention and speaks back to the field by choosing to cover groups that remain marginalised within an Educational context, providing readers with an understanding of how legislation, policy and research have both protected and/ or further excluded groups.
Topics covered include:
Children in Care, Fostering and Adoption
Gender Development and Identities: Intersex and Transgender Children
Religion, Antisemitism and Islamophobia
Asylum Seeker and Refugee Children (and Children who have English as an Additional Language)
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children
The book also has a chapter that examines the role of mass media in introducing and normalising prejudice and stigma, which then feeds into policy and practice. Within this chapter, she asks readers to critically reflect upon how media influences how they treat others and enters into their settings. Throughout the chapters, Paula explores a range of theories, theorists and concepts which underpin inclusion and marginalisation in an accessible manner, aiming to provide readers with a strong grounding in inclusive ideology, which will empower their practice.
Delayna Spencer
Senior Commissioning Editor, Early Years and SEND
I joined SAGE in 2015 as an Editorial Assistant and having worked across a range of subjects, I’ve happily settled as a Commissioning Editor in Education. It is a privilege to work with authors who are passionate about education and who want to create books which support people in being the best practitioner they can be. I’m keen to hear from people with new ideas and work closely with them to translate that idea into an invaluable resource for students and practitioners. Outside of work, I’m teaching my dog not to bite me and am often suspended from an aerial hoop. Reach me @delayna_spencer.
Paula Hamilton is a senior lecturer at the University of Chester. After completing a teacher training degree in the early 1990s, Paula worked on a European research project which focused on health promoting schools. She then spent 10 years within further education teaching on early childhood studies and health and social care courses. Since 2007, she has worked as a senior lecturer in higher education lecturing on programmes relating to early childhood, family, youth and education studies. Her PhD, completed in 2011, focused on the inclusion of migrant worker children into primary schools in North Wales. Paula’s research and publications lie in the field of social justice, inclusion, diversity and the health and well-being of children, young people and families.