Ally Shepherd

Profile

I am a Research Fellow working on a project across the SoE and POLIS evaluating educational materials fostering democratic engagement in the UK. My doctoral research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (US) involved an ethnographic case study of community-based language education for people seeking sancutary in the UK utilising participatory and visual methods. I received my MA and BA from Leeds’ School of Politics and International Studies, and am also a trained teacher (PCGE; CELTA) who has worked in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. As well as education, I care deeply about social justice, public writing, and the arts.

Research interests

Academic publications

Shepherd, A. (2024) Solidarity in a Hostile Environment: Possibilities in Community-Based ESOL for Adults Seeking Sanctuary in England. University of Wisconsin-Madison [doctoral dissertation]. ProQuest. https://www.proquest.com/docview/3085395037 

Shepherd, A. (2024) Media reporting of people seeking asylum during the pandemic: A postcolonial analysis. International Journal of Comparative Sociology. https://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/DSZAIMRF6QGJQXRXDTZ2/full 

Shepherd, A. (2019) Integrating Lesson Study in Myanmar Teacher Training. International Journal for Lesson and Learning Studies: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLLS-04-2018-0024.

Shepherd, A. (2015) Government versus Teachers: The Challenges of Educational Progress in Oaxaca, Mexico. Current Issues in Comparative Education, 17(1), 27-35: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1061021.pdf

Shepherd, A. (2014) Quality Formal Schooling in Marginalised Regions: Embedding Social Justice in Education. Politics and International Studies Journal, 12, Winter. [MA thesis]: http://www.polis.leeds.ac.uk/assets/files/students/student-journal/Winter-2014/Shepherd-Quality-Formal-Schooling-in-Marginalised-Regions.pdf

Practitioner publications

Shepherd, A. (forthcoming) Rose & Thorn: A warmer. In: Thornbury, S. & Meddings, L. [ed] Dogme in Practice. iTDi Press.

Shepherd, A. (2024) Laughter is the best medicine: Humour & a pedagogy of care. Modern English Teacher. July.

Shepherd, A. (2021) Online learning for non-native English speakers: a hindrance or a help? Modern English Teacher. Vol 29.

Shepherd, A. (2021) Using language outside of the classroom as a refugee English language learner. Language Issues. 31(2). Winter.

Shepherd, A. (2020) Non-formal language education: Teacher training in a refugee community in Greece, Language Issues. 31(1). Summer.

Shepherd, A. (2019) Supporting Refugee Teachers: Lessons from Greece. Modern English Teacher. April. Vol 27.5

Shepherd, A. (2018) Secondary Students’ Dream School: Ideas from the experts. Modern English Teacher. October. Vol 27.4

Shepherd, A. (2018) Case study: Using Lesson Study to improve teacher training practice in Myanmar. Modern English Teacher. July. Vol 27.3

Public writing

Shepherd, A. (2024) Participatory ESOL for adults seeking sancutary in England. Morgridge Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison [blog]. https://medium.com/@MorgridgeCenter/community-based-esol-for-adults-seeking-sanctuary-in-england-1f2cac173880 

Shepherd, A. (2021) We need to talk about forced migration, Cap Times [online]. 11 July: Ally Shepherd: We need to talk about forced migration | Column | madison.com 

Book Reviews

Shepherd, A. (2022) Border Thinking: Latinx youth decolonizing citizenship, Educational Action Research: https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/H4RHZD97IDTFXXM7WCJW/full?target=10.1080/09650792.2022.2096657 

Qualifications

• PhD Education Policy Studies
• MA Education Policy Studies
• MA Global Development with Education
• BA International Development with Politics