Dr Elizabeth M A Russell

dr-elizabeth-m-a-russell

Senior Lecturer in Education: MA Education, Research Methods & PG Research Supervision

Education and Inclusion

Contact Details

email: e.russell@worc.ac.uk
tel: 01905 542079

Elizabeth has been involved in research, teaching, and course development at the University of Worcester since 2010. Elizabeth's professional experience is in secondary education, with particular expertise in single-sex and boarding education. Prior to joining the University, Elizabeth spent a decade in teaching and subject leadership in schools in the South East, South West and the West Midlands. Elizabeth held a number of roles during this time, including working with sixth form students on Oxbridge and university admissions.

Elizabeth primarily teaches postgraduate students and is also involved in delivering some undergraduate modules. Elizabeth is interested in the philosophical foundations of research and in the use of historical research methods in education. In her own research in the history of education, Elizabeth is influenced by social and cultural history and looks at the interaction between historical discourse and personal narrative. In her doctoral research, Elizabeth used oral history to explore RE teachers’ identities and looked at how former teachers situated themselves within a particular historical space when speaking about their lives in teaching.

Qualifications

  • PhD, University of Worcester
  • PGCert Research Methods (Distinction), University of Worcester
  • PGCE, Jesus College, University of Cambridge
  • MA (Oxon), Christ Church, University of Oxford

Awards

  • Deputy Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis
  • Doctoral Studentship Award: full funding 

Teaching & Research

Doctoral Supervision

  • Neil McKain: Humanism, Religious Education and the 1988 Education Act

Postgraduate teaching

  • MAED4001 Research Methods
  • MAED4460 Postgraduate Dissertation
  • MAED4006 Contemporary Issues in Education: Theory, Policy and Practice
  • MAED4041 Towards Inclusion: Partnership and Reflection
  • MAED4047 Inclusion and Challenging Behaviour

Undergraduate teaching

  • EDST1101 Foundations of Education
  • EDST1105 Education in Context
  • EDST3301/2 SEND3001/2 Independent Study

Research

  • Teachers and teacher identity
  • Teachers lives and commitments
  • Philosophical foundations of research
  • Research methods in education
  • Historical research methods in education
  • Oral history
  • Secondary education
  • Religion and education

Professional Bodies

Association of University Lecturers in Religion and Education (AULRE)

Publications

Papers

Russell, E. (2019) ‘RE past, present and future: insights from oral history’. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Association of University Lecturers in Religion and Education (AULRE), Newman University, Birmingham, 9-10 May.  

Russell, E. (2017) ‘A Teachers History of Religious Education, c.1960-1979’. Presented at the Religion and Education Research Interest Group, University of Worcester.

Russell, E. (2015) ‘Who is an RE Professional? Being an RE teacher in 1970s Birmingham: an oral history’. Presented at the Teacher Professionalization and the Professional Quality of Religious Education International Symposium, University of Exeter.

Russell, E. (2014) ‘History and Theory’. Presented at the History of Religions and Education Seminar Series, University of Worcester.

Russell, E. (2011) ‘Religious Education in Historical Perspective’. Presented at the European Educational Research Association (EERA) Histories of Education Summer School Conference, University of Birmingham.

Russell, E. (2011) ‘Testimony and Religious Education Teachers: a historical and philosophical perspective’. Presented at the University of Worcester Research Student Conference, University of Worcester.

Russell, E. (2010) ‘Privileging the voice of the teacher in the historiography of religious education’. Presented at the History of Education Society Annual Conference, London.

Research Dissemination and Regional Engagement

A Teachers History of Religious Education. Interview with Dr. Carl Chinn, BBC Radio WM, Sunday 20 May 2012

Inspire: Celebrating Excellence in Research, Research Student Profile, University of Worcester, Spring 2012

External Responsibilities

  • Reviews Editor, Journal of Beliefs and Values: Studies in Religion and Education (Taylor & Francis)
  • Peer Reviewer, History of Education Researcher

Professional Activities (UW)

  • Research Ethics Panel member, College B (2019)
  • Subject adviser, PGCE Religious Education (2014)
  • Postgraduate student admissions interviewer, PGCE Religious Education (2015)
  • Conference convenor, ‘Learners and Leaders in Education’, Inaugural School of Education Postgraduate Research Conference (2014) 
  • Research Knowledge Transfer Sub-Committee member, School of Education (2010 - 2014)

Course Writing & Development (UW)

  • MA Education, Revalidation (2018/19)
  • BA Religion, Philosophy & Values in Education (2015/16)
  • PGCE Religious Education (2014/15)