Educational Research

Dr Daryl Maisey

The Early Years SIG is open to all colleagues who specialise in the Early Years and to those who may have interests which are relevant and contribute to the activities of the group.

Contemporary issues relevant to the Early Years will form the basis for designing and developing research opportunities individually and collectively. This SIG will encourage members to share expertise and interests in order to facilitate research activity culminating in publications.

Visit the Early Years SIG page >

Dr Paty Paliokosta

The Special Interest Group on 'Inclusion and Social Justice' was created with the following remit for colleagues at the Department of Education and across the Faculty and beyond: discussing teaching and learning issues in relation to inclusive education and special educational needs for different higher education courses; sharing expertise; discussing research and current or future projects; linking to wider organisations; peer mentoring and co-authoring; linking to wider academic forums; applying for research bids. 

Research and professional practice investigation has taken place on: 'reasonable adjustments and multi-professionalism'; 'preparing student teachers for 'inclusion'; 'debating outcomes from students' extended placement in specialist settings'; safeguarding vulnerable groups and lessons learnt from Serious Case Reviews; social marginalisation; transitions and mental health as a new SEN Code of Practice category; supporting student teachers with SpLD in HE and practice placements.

We would particularly welcome inquiries from prospective research students interested in any of the following topics.

• Current issues regarding educating highly or exceptionally able students
• Twice-exceptional students and issues relating to identification and educational provision in primary schools
• Critical evaluation of school provision for highly and exceptionally able students
• Investigating post-code lottery for inclusive education; implications for policy and practice;
• Developing inclusive curricula in developing countries. Teachers' perspectives
• Transitions for children with SEND
• Reasonable adjustments and exclusions for children with Mental Health and other SEND
• Parental involvement in interventions for children with SEND/ASD

Read more about the Inclusion and Social Justice Special Interest Group >

Dr Christos Dimitriadis

The SIG-ME is a special interest research group within the Department of Education that connects diverse research and disciplines within mathematics education, with a shared focus on improving mathematics teaching and learning. In a world which is rapidly changing socially and technologically, the group is interested in advancing the theory and practice for mathematics learning across educational levels and learning settings.

Read more about the SIG-ME >

Dr Mick Allen

The group is open to specialists working in science subjects and others whose interests may cross over into this domain. Current areas of research include pre-school obesity and issues surrounding the initial training of secondary science teachers.

Although we have a wide range of research interests (all phases/ages), we would particularly welcome inquiries from prospective research students interested in the following topics.

• Pre-schoolers' concepts of biology
• Science misconceptions
• Primary children's conceptual development regarding science topics.

Marcus Bhargava

This Special Interest Group (SIG) brings together those interested in exploring, debating and engaging in scholarship and research in the field of teacher education and development. This SIG aims to be inclusive and collaborative, attracting a range of people who are involved in the education of teachers including those engaged in the initial and ongoing education of teachers. We particularly welcome members drawn from outside the profession including SEND therapists, community educators, charitable education providers and education services.

The SIG aims to:

• Provide a forum to explore key themes in local, national and international teacher education and development, identifying those of interest for further investigation and scholarly activity by the group
• Provide support and guidance to members who are engaged in scholarly and research activity in the field of teacher education and development
• Connect with other groups engaged in the field (e.g. CITED, BERA Teacher Education and Development SIG)
• Secure grant funding to further the scholarly and research activities of the group
• Influence policy making through its outputs.

Dr Dejan Ljubojevic

Technology and Pedagogy (TaP) is a special interest group new to the Department of Education. The aim of TaP group is to promote purposeful use of digital, virtual and social media technologies and platforms to enhance learning and teaching. The emphasis is on the enhancing property of the technology when appropriately and purposefully implemented.

The group is open to colleagues with interests in the enhancing affordances of digital, online, networked, and simulated learning and teaching.

Current research ideas include:

• Technology enhanced learning/reflection
• Enabling/promoting critical pedagogy with technology
• Learning design
• Learning design and learning analytics
• Open educational resources
• Technology enabled learning
• Flipped classrooms
• Evaluation of technology-enhanced learning.

Read more about the Technology and Pedagogy Special Interest Group >