My name is Cathy Kilburn, and I am a lecturer and programme director within the School of Education at the University of Hull. 

My research interests focus on preschool children and gender, in particular on the impact of gender on young children's lives and the inequalities that they face due to gender stereotypes and norms.

My PhD research focused  on pre-school children’s experiences with their peers, in particular how this impacts their understanding and experience of gender. Prior to starting my PhD, I completed a MA in Early Childhood Education at the University of Sheffield, whilst working as a deputy manager in a large private nursery in Southampton. My interest in early childhood education and care started when my children were young, and I started volunteering in pre-school.  Since then, I have worked in a variety of early childhood care and education environments, including a community pre-school, as a childminder, as a supply teacher and private nurseries.