Transitions Community Compass series - April 2025

Dr Rachel Nesbit

Rachel is a Lecturer in the Department for Psychology at the University of Exeter. Her current work examines barriers and facilitators of play in schools, and her interests are in understanding how playtimes can be made better, to ensure that all children can reap the benefits that play offers.  She is passionate about reducing inequalities in children’s play access, and understanding the complex interaction of social and environmental influences on children’s play.

Rachel became a first-time mum to her son Otis in May 2024. Rachel returned to work in November 2024, using accrued annual leave to slowly transition back to work. She returned full-time (compressed hours) in January 2025.

Dr Kieran Hodgkin

Kieran is a Senior Lecturer in Education and Student Experience Strategic Lead within the School of Education and Social Policy, Cardiff Metropolitan University. Kieran has published widely in the field of educational transitions. Through the lens of young people, Kieran has explored the expectations and experiences of young people managing the transition between Primary and Secondary school and from Further to Higher Education. Recently, Kieran worked with colleagues across Wales to explore the impact of the pandemic on students' transition to Higher Education.

Kieran became a dad to his son Jacob in October 2019. Kieran became a father again in June 2024 when his son Archie was born. Kieran is preparing to return to work after a 5-month period of shared parental leave. Kieran is planning to compress his hours on his return to work (5 days into 4).

Dr Charlotte Bagnall 

Charlotte is a Lecturer at the University of Manchester in Manchester’s Institute of Education. Her research is focused on supporting children’s emotional wellbeing within schools, particularly over primary-secondary school transitions.