Education research and expertise

Research and expertise

Our research is central to everything we do

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Research and expertise

Research is central to everything we do within the School of Education. We undertake research into educational policy and practice to inform practitioners and policymakers in the UK and globally. Our world leading research ranks in the UK Top 5, as assessed by the Research Excellence Framework 2014.

Our research centres

Children whispering

Childhood, Education and Social Justice

We investigate precarity, inequality and inclusivity in relation to children and young people’s lives and educational contexts (poverty, special educational needs and disability, health and well-being) bringing together expertise to inform and challenge policy and practice.

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Curriculum, Pedagogy and Policy

Our research examines the overlapping themes of curriculum and pedagogy. A key research focus is the development and enactment of education policy around curriculum, pedagogy and assessment within formal education settings.

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Digital Education

We investigate innovation processes in education, in particular the way digital advancement is transforming education throughout the lifetime, across multiple contexts (formal education, informal learning, lifelong learning), and in various modes (online, blended).

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Language Education

We examine the transformative potential of language education in current society and across diverse global and multilingual contexts (e.g. displacement, migration). Our research covers areas including academic literacies, teaching methodology, motivation, and language learning with new technologies.

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Impact and engagement

Our research helps to improve the lives and learning of children, young people and families, by informing and shaping educational practices and policies in UK, European and global contexts.

Professor Ruth Swanwick, Director of Research and Innovation

We are actively engaged in research at the frontiers of education. Our research informs the teaching and studying activities of all of our postgraduate courses.

As a centre for international excellence in research and teaching, we aim to:

  • share expertise in education practice and theory
  • train inspiring practitioners through our postgraduate research degrees
  • inform and shape public educational policy
  • improve educational practice on a global scale
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Our experts

Our academic team is formed by a diverse group of experts who are dedicated to having a positive impact on society through their research and teaching.

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Visiting academics

The School welcomes visiting scholars from other institutions around the world wishing to pursue their professional interests in a dynamic academic environment.

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Hillary Place Papers

Our in house journal is a place for our postgraduate researchers to publish their work and share their ideas and innovations with the wider educational community.

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Annual conference

The Research Students' Education Conference (RSEC) provides the opportunity for research students to present their work before an audience of their peers.

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School of Education postgraduate research student studying

Research degrees

Join our postgraduate research community and pursue your passion with the support of our expert academics. Learn more about PhD and EdD research options.

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