Prof Eric Atmore, Director of the Centre for Early Childhood Development (CECD) and Extraordinary Associate Professor in the department of education policy studies at Stellenbosch University, has been named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Academics in government across the globe.
The list, put out by Apolitical (a global learning platform for government, allowing public servants to share best practices and policies, globally, to solve the greatest challenges facing society) recognises academics whose work and research on policy helps to make governments more effective. Nominations come from across the globe, from local and national government officials, international organisations, non-profit organisations, and individuals from many countries looking to recognise the hard work of academics who have been influential in their fields, thereby effecting change.
About his inclusion in the Top 100 list, Atmore said: “In being recognised by the global Apolitical organisation for the work that has been done as an early childhood development (ECD) activist in South Africa, it is important to be aware of the close to 180 000 ECD teachers and other workers who fight every day for young children’s right to quality early education opportunities in our country.
“It is always heartening to hear that your activism and research is of value to public officials, the ECD sector and other activists.”
Atmore has worked in the non-profit sector for 40 years, and has lectured at various universities and consulted to a range of non-profit organisations around South Africa. He has published extensively, including refereed and peer-reviewed articles, chapters in books and conference proceedings and numerous articles in the popular media. He completed his PhD in 2019 on “An Interpretive Analysis of the Early Childhood Development Policy Trajectory in Post-apartheid South Africa”.
Across his various roles, Atmore uses his research in the field of early childhood development and education to advocate for young children’s access to quality early education throughout South Africa.
CECD, with its head offices based in Claremont, is a non-profit organisation established in 1994. It works with communities to enhance their skills and capacity in ECD services.
