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The trustees of the Margaret May Blackwell fellowship have made available a travel study fellowship for those involved in early childhood education. The fellowship was initiated in 1988 and is now administered by NZCER on behalf of the trust.
The award is for a period of up to three months but not less than six weeks. The award is for $16,000 in 2010 and is for travel and accommodation.
The Ministry of Education has recognised the fellowship as a prestigious award, which means the recipient may be eligible for leave with pay, subject to the approval of their employing authority.
The trustees of the Margaret May fellowship Trust have offered the travel study fellowship to:
- Preserve the memory of Margaret May Blackwell as an early childhood educator
- Promote ongoing study and research of the development, practice, organisation and philosophy of early childhood education
- Provide opportunities to study in other countries, those early childhood areas of interest having relevance, national significance and benefit to New Zealand
- Permit persons of calibre and expertise in the area of early childhood education to have the opportunity to travel and study overseas.
Who is eligible?
It is open to current practitioners in the broad field of early childhood education in New Zealand. The successful recipient will be selected from:
a) Teachers, supervisors and workers from all sectors of early childhood education
b) Lecturers in appropriate disciplines in tertiary institutions.
How do I decide what to study?
Each year a consultative group will formulate areas of study. Applications must be for travel and study directly related to these topics.
Topics for Margaret May Blackwell Travel Fellowship, 2010
1. Programmes supporting refugee families
The focus will be on investigating early childhood education provision that is responsive to the ethnic and cultural diversity of migrant and refugee families, that offers opportunities for these families to contribute their skills and knowledge and to be supported in settling in New Zealand. For its population, New Zealand receives a high percentage of migrants and is one of only twelve nations out of the 188 member states of the United Nations that undertakes to accept refugees through a quota system. Although refugees are a small proportion of total immigrants, they are a distinctive group who have come from traumatic situations as forced migrants. Early childhood education services can play a crucial role in supporting the well-being and sense of belonging of refugee and migrant families in New Zealand as well as contributing to children’s learning and development.
2. Infant and toddler programmes
Infants and toddler care and education is now a key feature of New Zealand early childhood provision. Demand is high, as all caregivers in an increasing number of families with very young children join the workforce in part- or full-time employment. Currently, New Zealand provides limited parental leave, and this contributes to the demand. Infant and toddler care and education calls for specialist care as well as sensitively reciprocal and responsive relationships with infants and toddlers as well as with their families. A number of local research projects, and a literature survey, have contributed to our understanding in this field. However, a travelling scholar would explore care-giving and educational opportunities, discussions, and provision from selected programmes and experts in this field.
How to apply
Applications must be in by 30th July 2010. Download and complete the application form below, which tells you what information you need to include. Potential recipients must also have a referee. A form for the referee to fill out is also available below.
A shortlist of applicants will be provided by the administrators to the trustees, who will make the final decision.
For inquiries, or to be sent a hard copy of the forms, please contact Diana Todd on 04-8021434 or
email diana.todd@nzcer.org.nz
Download the application form [78 KB pdf]
Download the referee form [75 KB pdf]
Read more about Margaret May Blackwell
More about the Blackwell Fellowship | 
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