Dr Madeleine Le Bourdon

Profile

Madeleine is an Associate Professor in the Politics of Development in the School of Politics and International Studies, co-director of the Centre for Teaching Scholarship and Innovation and programme director for International Development BA(Hons).  Following gaining her PhD from the University of Northumbria in 2019 she held lecturer positions at Queen Mary University of London, the University of Bath and consulted the European Commission on Global Education policy, before joining POLIS in 2021. Madeleine’s research critical reflects on pedagogical and methodological approaches which frame how we understand development and global social justice issues. In particular, the role of reflexive practices in challenging privilege and positionality in the field. Alongside her University role, Madeleine is a co-editor at the International Journal for Development Education and Global Learning, trustee of the charity Diversity in Development and sits on the board for the Academic Network for Global Education and Learning.

Responsibilities

• Programme Director for International Development BA (Hons)
• Co-Director of the Centre for Teaching Innovation and Scholarship (CTIS)

Research interests

Madeleine’s research critical reflects on pedagogical approaches which frame how we understand development and global social justice issues. Having written widely on the role of informal educative spaces for learning about global social justice issues, she most recently conducted research funded by the European Education Research Association examining social media as a space for activism and learning. As a researcher and educator within the field of Development, Madeleine takes an active interest in critically reflecting on privilege, positionality and reflexive practices in Development research and pedagogy. 

• Youth Activism in Educational Spaces

Qualifications

• PhD in Global Development
• LLM Masters in International Human Rights Law
• BA (Hons) International Politics and Policy

Professional memberships

• Academic Network for Global Education and Learning
• International Studies Association
• British International Studies Association
• Political Studies Association

Student education

Madeleine is the programme director for the undergradaute course International Development BA(Hons). She teaches on a range of Development, Politics and Research Methods Modules. She supervises students at undergraduate, Masters and PhD level within the field of Development and Politics.  

Current postgraduate researchers

• Priya Lukka
• Jayatilake Kankanamalage Janith Prabashwara Perera