About
Dr Ashnie Mahadew is an academic from the College of Humanities, School of Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She holds teaching qualifications and an honours degree in Psychology. She completed her Master’s and PhD degrees at the University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal (UKZN). She has spent 20 years as a foundation phase teacher before joining UKZN where she presently lectures in language and literacy to the Bachelor of Education students. Dr Mahadew also supervises postgraduate Masters’ students and her research focuses on community-based action research in the early childhood care and education sector.
Degrees Held
- Higher Education Diploma: SCE
- Further Diploma in Technology Education: UNISA
- BA (Health and Social Sciences): UNISA
- BA Honours (Psychology): UNISA
- Master of Education (Educational Psychology): UKZN
- Doctor of Philosophy (Educational Psychology): UKZN
Research Interests
- Educational Psychology
- Early Childhood Education
- Inclusion
- Teacher Education for Diversity
Teaching Interests
- Educational Psychology
- Early Childhood Development and Foundation Phase Modules.
Selected Publications
- Mahadew, A. & Hlalele, D. (2022). Challenging Gender Certainties in Early Childhood Care and Education: A Participatory Action Learning and Action Research Study. Educational Research for Social Change, 11 (1), 10-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2221-4070/2021/v11i1a2
Conferences and Webinars
- Mahadew A. (2019). An Inclusive Learning Environment in Early Childhood Care and Education. Paper presented at the Community Based Educational Research Conference (COMBER). 1st International Conference. North-West University, 20 November 2019.
- Mahadew A. (2021). Understanding Inclusion in Early Childhood Care and Education. Paper presented at the South African Association for Early Childhood Education (SARAECE). 4th National Digital ECD Conference, 13 July 2021.
- Mahadew A. (2021). Challenging a Transmissive Pedagogy in Early Childhood Care and Education. Paper presented at the Community Based Educational Research Conference (COMBER). 2nd International Conference. North-West University, 29 November 2019.
- Mahadew A. (2021). Conceptualising learner support: Multiple contexts and approaches. Panel Member at the Stadio B. Ed Hons Webinar (Inclusive Education). Stadio, 15th September 2021.
Community Outreach
Vukukhanye Chesterville ECD Training Project: Exploring Diversity in Early Childhood Care and Education (Principal Investigator: A Mahadew).
Student Supervision
Currently supervising master’s students.
Project Participation
- ECCE Module Development, Dr J Mzimela. 2018 – present
- African Story Project, Prof H Israel (University of Mpumalanga). 2021
- Student Academic Success: Enhancing Potential Cum Laude And Summa Cum Laude Students Self Authorship, Dr S Khumalo. Nov 2021 – present
- Psychosocial Wellbeing For Sustainable Learning In Early Childhood Development (ECD) Education, Dr N Mthiyane. January 2022 – present