Professor of Professional Education
My background is in social care settings, engineering, and teaching and research in further and higher education. I have held several teaching and leadership roles in the further and higher education sectors in Scotland, England and Wales.
I was previously a Senior Lecturer and Head of Department for Education Studies at the University of Stirling. My research interests are focused on the development of the further, adult and vocational education sectors. I was a part of the Four Nations (of the UK) project that looked at governance across the college sector (funded by the ESRC) and I am also engaged in national strategic research work focused on the new T level provision rollout. I lead the development of educational research at the University of Sunderland.
I currently have ten doctoral students who are covering a wide range of research topics. I am particularly interested in taking on students from professional backgrounds. I teach Practitioner Research courses and support doctoral development.
Teaching and supervision
Research interests for potential research students
- Educational Leadership
- Further Education
- Adult Education
- Vocational Education
- Research Ethics
- Learning and Teaching
- Governance and Educational Policy Development
- Community Education
- 3rd Sector Educational Provision
Research
Recently completed:
- Processes and practices of governing in further education colleges in the UK: How do governing boards realise the strategic aims of the organisation?
This project was funded by the ESRC (£1,000,000).Other projects:
- 2021: CO I- ETF funded investigation into the impact of practitioner research on professional learning (adult, community, and further education). University of Sunderland.
- 2021: CO I- ETF funded investigation into pedagogic principals in the roll-out of T levels in England. University of Sunderland.
- Educational Leadership
- Further Education
- Adult Education
- Vocational Education
- Research Ethics
- Learning and Teaching
- Governance and Educational Policy Development
- Community Education and 3rd Sector Educational Provision
- Mentoring
- Apprenticeships
I undertake several governance roles and support a variety of organisations.
Current roles:
- Chair of the Association of Research in Post-Compulsory Education
- Member of the Board of Governors at Newbattle Abbey College
- Trustee of Archaeology Scotland and Chair of Education and Outreach Committee
Previous roles:
- Chair of the Duncan MacKinnon Music and Arts Foundation
Accreditations, qualifications, and fellowships:
- FRSA
- SFHEA
- PGCE
- EdD