Education MPhil/PhD

Dr Karen Blackmore

Karen has always found science fascinating; one of her earliest memories is of watching rain drops hitting a window pane. What determined which one reached the bottom of the window pane first? Was it the size of the rain drop or where it landed? This initial childhood curiosity fuelled a lifetime interest in science.

Karen pursued her scientific education in the beautiful city of Bath, answering slightly more complex scientific problems but still with the same level of fascination. She then forged a career in the pharmaceutical industry as a Senior Research Scientist. One of the most fulfilling aspects of this role was acting as a mentor to Masters students. Years later this prompted her to cross-train in the education sector as a secondary science teacher. 

As a Learning and Teaching Fellow and Science Mentor at the University of Worcester , Karen hopes to meld her passion for science with a deep reaching interest in how people learn.

Professor Jaswinder K Dhillon

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Jaswinder joined the University as Professor of Education in January 2015, having previously worked in further and higher education in a range of teaching, research and leadership roles. Jas is passionate about research and research-informed professional practice and has extensive experience of teaching and research supervision at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels both in the UK and in other countries, including China, India, Holland, Mauritius and the Solomon Islands.

In her own research, Jas has focussed on investigating the perspectives of students, teachers and managers, particularly in relation to policies and initiatives that aim to improve existing practice.

Professor Geoffrey Elliot

Geoffrey Elliott has taught in comprehensive schools, further, adult and higher education, and has undertaken a range of leadership roles during his career.  He is President of the Association for Research in Post-Compulsory Education, and serves on the Board of the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education. He edits the international peer reviewed journal Research in Post-Compulsory Education, and is currently Professor of Post-Compulsory Education at the University of Worcester specialising in education policy and lifelong learning.

Dr Peter Gossman

Peter has worked in a range of FE and HE institutions in the UK and NZ in both Education and Academic Development roles, initially at Lincoln University just four songs south of Christchurch on the South Island.

He has worked on a large NZ project investigating the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning as well as publishing on a variety of subjects, particularly in relation to 'good' teaching and conceptions of teaching and he has published in a range of academic journals.

Dr Karen Hanson

Karen completed her doctoral research into supporting students to develop a reflective disposition. This action research study enabled Karen to understand the significance of previous experiences and environmental influences upon undergraduate students. Karen is particularly interested in the transition periods within different phases of education and understands how important it is to use a variety of perspectives through which to plan appropriate learning environments.

Karen is totally committed to exploring the learning and teaching experience for both student and tutor and believes that this process is co-constructed through an environment conducive to collaborative working. Her expertise in working with young children and families in a variety of settings has enabled her to understand the complexities of education and care and creating appropriate pedagogical approaches to suit individual and contextual needs.

Since joining the University in 2003 Karen has co-ordinated and led on different aspects of undergraduate and post graduate programmes in Early Years /Children and Families education and care. She was appointed as Head of Centre for Children and Families in 2010-2017 and viewed it as a privilege to lead an inspiring academic multi-disciplinary team who are all actively engage in research and publication writing within the field of Early Childhood.Karen is now leading on the development of Higher and Degree level apprenticeships for the Institute of Education.

Dr Ruth Hewston

Ruth joined the University of Worcester in 2009 having worked in both teaching and research led Higher Education Institutions for over ten years. Prior to joining the University of Worcester, she was employed as a Senior Research Fellow within the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY) and the Centre for Educational Development Appraisal and Research (CEDAR), both at the University of Warwick.

Over the past 18 years, she has led and contributed to a number of national and international projects in inclusive education, giftedness and supporting learners with additional educational needs. In 2012-2015 Ruth was involved in the GUIDE Project, funded by the European Commission under the Lifelong Learning Programme, which developed a professional training package for teachers across Europe working with learners with additional needs in mainstream settings.

Dr Colin Howard

Dr Colin Howard has been involved in primary education for 24 years of which over 14 years has been as a successful headteacher in both small village and large primary settings. He has a strong research background in educational leadership and the influence that school buildings have upon their stakeholders. He currently inspects schools for the Diocese of Hereford as a S48 SIAMS Inspector.

Dr Pinky Jain

Pinky is passionate about education, especially the professional development of trainee teachers and the teaching of maths in schools.

Pinky teaches on the BA QTS and PGCE (Primary Mathematics Modules, Professional Studies and Independent Research Modules), is Subject Leader for Primary Mathematics and is Programme Leader for the PGCE Mathematics Specialist Pathway. She is currently supervising 4 Masters research students from the UK and abroad.

Professor Alison Kington

PhD, CPsychol, AFBPsS, FRSA

ORCID

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Over the past 15 years, Alison has contributed to the success of a range of international and national research projects funded by Research Councils and Government agencies, including studies of the work and lives of teachers (DfES), effective classroom practice (ESRC), school leadership and pupil outcomes (DfES), and inspirational and effective teachers (CfBT). She is currently engaged in a number of research projects including the professional identity of mid-career primary teachers, the role of school staff rooms, and the impact of friendships in the transition from pre-school to reception.

Professor Stephen G Parker

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Stephen joined the School of Education at Worcester in 2008, becoming a Professor in 2013. His research is at the interface between religious and educational history, and aspects of civil society. He is particularly interested in how the faith communities have sought to shape and influence the development of education policy and the curriculum over time. He is also interested in how children have been taught to understand their own citizenship and identity, and cultural and religious differences, through the media of radio and television. Stephen is a leading contributor to international perspectives on the history of religious education and the history of educational broadcasting. In addition, Stephen has published widely on aspects of the philosophy of education and religion, and studies of the effectiveness of RE in schools.

Since being awarded a prestigious research project Grant by the Leverhulme Trust, for a project entitled Faith on the Air: religious educational broadcasting history, c.1920, Stephen has continued to develop expertise in the wider aspects of educational media history. His book, Religious Education: a broadcasting history will be published by Oxford University Press in 2020.

Professor Maggi Savin-Baden

As someone who has always been interested in innovation and change Maggi's interest in learning this has been the focus of her research for many years. Her previous research is focussed on the impact of virtual worlds on learning and teaching, through a large Leverhulme-funded project.

Maggi has researched and evaluated staff and student experience of learning for over 20 years and gained funding (Leverhulme Trust, JISC,) to research the effectiveness of learning in new electronic and immersive spaces. She is an experienced evaluator not only of curricula but also of research and research methodologies and an expert in the development of innovative and creative scenarios designed for learning.

She has published over 50 research publications and 15 books, and am currently writing 2 more.

Visit Maggi's Blog

Dr Carla Solvason

In Carla's current role as senior lecturer at the University of Worcester her key area of responsibility is around the area of research. This involves ensuring that student practitioners are given the support that they need to carry out worthwhile research projects, but also encouraging colleagues to reach their full research potential. Her key research interest is the topic of ethicality and how we can embed this within professional development and caring research. With her colleague, Rosie Walker, she has co-authored a book to support Early Years practitioners in their research projects, which is now the key text for students on the course.

Dr Marie Stephenson

Marie joined the Centre for Education & Inclusion in 2014 and brings extensive teaching experience from the post-compulsory (FE) sector. Marie has a number of specialisms, which include teaching the visually impaired, having spent a number of years designing and delivering courses at the Royal National College for the Blind.

In addition to teaching here at the University of Worcester, Marie also spent time in the USA, delivering on the Executive Leadership Doctoral Program at the George Washington University, Graduate School of Education & Human Development.

Dr Philip Woodward

Philip joined the School of Education at Worcester in 2015, as a Senior Lecturer in Education Studies. He brings extensive experience from both further and higher education.

In the further education sector Philip spent nineteen years teaching Sociology in colleges in both London and Southampton on a range of courses. He also has extensive experience of managing curriculum teams, UCAS applications and pastoral provision.

Professor Richard Woolley

Richard Woolley is Deputy Head of the School of Education. His career started in primary education, in North Yorkshire, before moving to work in further and higher education in Derbyshire and then returning to primary school teaching in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. He has served as a deputy head teacher and special educational needs coordinator, as well as being curriculum coordinator for several subjects across the primary phase of education.

Richard's professional and research interests centre on the areas of inclusion, diversity and equality, including the personal and social development of children, values and issues in primary education, religious education and special educational needs provision.