Mervi Riehunkangas

In my research, I examine the conversations between early childhood education professionals and the parents of the children attending early childhood education or pre-primary education, with a particular focus on the initiation of sensitive topics. I analyze how professionals position themselves and how their professional agency is constructed in these moments of bringing up sensitive issues, as reflected in the narratives they produce. In addition, I study audio‑recorded and video‑recorded early childhood education plan meetings and the ways sensitive topics are introduced in these interactions using conversation analysis.