About

PINA (Potsdam Research Institute for Early Learning & Educational Action) is an interdisciplinary research association between the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam and the University of Potsdam and it’s an early childhood education research centre and serves as an exchange forum for scientists and practitioners. Our topics are early childhood development and education, focusing on cognitive and socio-emotional development, pedagogical interaction, and quality development in early education.

PINA was founded in 2017. It emerged from EQUIP – a cooperative research programme on quality and interaction in everyday pedagogy funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth and jointly conducted by the University of Potsdam and the University of Applied Sciences.

The University of Applied Sciences and the University of Potsdam offer a joint, research-focussed Master studies programme: Early Childhood Research. Members of PINA take part in research and teaching in the M.A. Early Childhood Research programme. PINA forms the central joint platform of the new site for early childhood education research in Potsdam.