The Department of Education aims to improve the lives of learners in all settings and to enhance the wellbeing of communities in which they form part in education-related fields. A close relationship with experienced and ingénue education and child care professionals and partner institutions regionally and nationally underpins our research activity.
We provide a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes including initial teacher education (subject to the requirements of the department for Education) and continuing professional development, which are informed by our research specialisms and expertise. As part of an Education Research Group (ERG), there are Special Interest Groups (SIGs) focussing upon inclusion and social justice; science, technology, engineering and mathematics; pedagogy and technology in addition to Early Years. The ERG will also enhance strengths and opportunities for new work in professionalism and inter-professionalism in Early Years' provision, citizenship education, technologies-enhanced learning and digital literacies, mathematics education and curriculum policy in the primary and secondary years.
Current areas of interest in the school for research enquiry include professionalism and interprofessionalism in Early Years' provision, citizenship education, technologies-enhanced learning and digital literacies, mathematics education and curriculum policy in the primary and secondary years. A wide range of research projects have been undertaken. Examples of these include children's understanding of science in the early years; enhancing learning experience through the implementation and integration of digital technologies and exploring the learning needs of higher ability children.
Partnerships and networks between higher education and schools continue to be the focus of much enquiry as do those that relate to professional development opportunities for teachers in the region and internationally. The school's collaborative work with teachers and its commitment to improving the practice of teacher education underpins its research. We are very active in attending professionally relevant conferences and presenting papers which lead to published outcomes in the form of books, book chapters and scholarly journals.
Dr. Ruth Wood (Education Research Group lead)
Currently, there are six special interest groups. STEM-focused research is undertaken within three special interest groups, Science Education, Mathematics Education in addition to Technology & Pedagogy. Three further groups, Early Years, Inclusion & Social Justice and Teaching & Teacher Education offer opportunities to engage in wider educational issues. Details for each specific group can be found below.
Our academic staff have developed research expertise within a broad range of contexts and settings and across the education sector from nursery to higher education; work-based and intercultural learning to the formation of inclusive and international curricula. A broad range of participatory and networking opportunities for experienced, early career and student researchers provides a strong foundation for rigorous, research-led pedagogy and praxis.
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) form the core of the Education Research Group; acting as catalysts for the development of conceptual, theoretical and empirical-based knowledge generation with dissemination through a range of publications, including books, book chapters, journals in addition to conferences, seminars and workshops. Recognising the potential for multi and interdisciplinary perspectives, the SIGs actively seek to develop and extend networks within and beyond the University; crossing discipline-related thresholds and creating synergy between theory and practice.
With a strong and long-standing commitment to continuing professional development and practitioner research, the School of Education also possesses a portfolio of award-bearing programmes including a fully online post graduate certificate focussing upon Research Methods in Education and a Master of Research (Education) which provides suitable preparation for those considering doctoral studies in this field. We also offer an Education Doctorate (EdD) which is designed for educational professionals working in a wide range of settings.
The Centre for Physical Education, Sport and Activities (PESA) offers an innovative PESA degree programme for people working or wishing to work in PESA settings and aims to establish a world-class centre to transform the way all children and young people engage with physical education, sport and activity through aligning excellent teaching, research and practice.