Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning, University of Wolverhampton (2010).
PhD 'The Cultural Significance of the Child Star', Brunel University (2006).
PGCE Primary (3-11 years), Kingston University (1999).
MA in Sociology of Contemporary Culture, University of York (1996).
BSc (Hons) Applied Psychology and Sociology, University of Surrey (1994).
Member of Higher Education Academy
Editorial Board member of Red Feather Journal
Jane is currently working on a project called ‘Techno Babies’ investigating 0-2 year olds’ use of touchscreen technology. She is also developing a number of other projects around Early Years including an investigation of the impact of zero hour contracts on families with pre-school children.
Jane is writing a book chapter and journal article about the media coverage of child competitors in the 2012 London Olympics and is co-editing a book of essays around childhood and celebrity.
Jane teaches on the Research Methods elements of both the Primary PGCE and the BA in Early Childhood Studies and supports students on the EdD.
Book
O’Connor J (2008) The Cultural Significance of the Child Star, London: Routledge
Journal articles
O’Connor J & McDougall J. (2013) ‘Orphans and Rich People’: A Critical Analysis of the ‘Children’s Lives’ Exhibition in Birmingham, UK. Children & Society (online DOI:10.1111/chso.12025).
O’Connor J (2012) ‘Is it good to be gifted? The construction of gifted children in the British press.’ Children and Society, Vol.26 (4) pp293-303.
O’Connor J (2011) ‘From Jackie Coogan to Michael Jackson: What child stars can tell us about ideologies of childhood’ Journal of Children and Media, Vol.5 (3) pp284-297.
O'Connor J (2009) 'Beyond Social Constructionism? A Structural Analysis of the Cultural Significance of the Child Star', Children and Society, Vol.2 (3) pp214-225
O'Connor J (2009) 'The Demonisation of Charlotte Church: Media Constructions of a Child Prodigy', Journal of Children and Media Vol.3 (2) pp136-151
Book chapters
O’Connor J. ‘Children and Media’ in Waller T (ed) (2014) An Introduction to Early Childhood 3 Edition . London: SAGE.
O’Connor J. ‘The myth of ‘toxic childhood’’ in McDougall J & Bennett P (eds) (2013) Myth Today (and Together): Theory under Reconstruction. London: Routledge.
O’Connor J (2010) ‘Applying Bourdieu’s concepts of social and cultural capital and habitus to early years research’ in Whitmarsh J, Waller T & Clarke C (eds) (2010)Making sense of theory and practice: the Power of Ideas. Open University Press
Guest appearance on US radio show talking about child stardom (April 2013)
