Rebecca Crutchley is a senior lecturer in early childhood studies at the University of East London (UEL), and is the early childhood and special education programme leader. Her research interests include critical disability studies, cultural resilience and children’s social agency – particularly the impact of language and cultural brokering roles of migrant children within their family and wider community, which is the focus for her professional doctorate in education. Prior to working at UEL, Rebecca worked as a teacher and special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) in primary and early years settings, and as a local authority advisory teacher. She is the editor/author of Special needs in the early years: Partnership and participation (SAGE, 2018).