Susan Walker, associate professor of Family Social Science, will have a major role at the European Early Childhood Research Association conference in Budapest.

She will present her research and chair a symposium on technology integration in family education and engagement, as well as give a “PED” (a TED-styled talk) on “The Evolution of Trust” about building relationships with parents in education.

EECERA is an independent, self-governing, international association which promotes and disseminates multi-disciplinary research on early childhood and its applications to policy and practice and its annual conference is the largest early childhood research conference in Europe.

A critical approach to technology’s impact

Walker is among several Family Social Science faculty members who study technology and its impact on families and family relationships. Her research supports her teaching on the topic in her class, “Technology in Parenting and Family Relationships.” In the course students examine the role of information and communication technologies in family life and assess their use of technology as individuals, members of families and as future family professionals.

“The course emphasis incorporates current events so students really get an understanding of ethics, data security, and digital equity,” says Walker. “There’s a lot of in-class discussions and activities so students are able to see technology use from community-building and social justice perspectives.”

Walker’s course meets the requirements for the “Technology and Society Theme” and prepares students to understand, evaluate, and respond effectively to current and future technological changes that will shape their personal and work lives.