Dr Ally Shepherd

Profile

I am a Research Associate currently working on a project evaluating peer coaching for underrepresented secondary pupils. I have previously worked on a project across the Schools of Education and Politics enhancing parliamentary evaluation of education and engagment.

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 critical participatory and visual methods. I have also conducted visual and linguistic anlayses around media representation of people crossing the Channel to seek asylum.

I received my MA and BA from Leeds’ School of Politics and International Studies, and am also a trained English 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

Practitioner publications

Shepherd, A. (2025) Teaching with the Students. In: Thornbury, S. & Meddings, L. [eds] 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

Professional memberships

• Int. Assoc. of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL)
• National Assoc. of Teaching English and Community Languages to Adults (NATECLA)
• Amnesty International